Week 6 yall!

Alright, my friends....it's Week 6...of my mission. I bet yall are just happy 'bout that, aren't ya? :P It still doesn't feel real!!

I went to Lexington on Wednesday. I'm tellin' ya, Lexington is the place to be! I loved it! We talked to 20 random people throughout the day and shared #BecauseHeLives with everyone! It was great!! I was surprised at how many people didn't know what the true meaning of Easter was! But it was a blessing to get to share it with them. If you haven't watched the video, do it!

Last Monday was quite the...adventure, for me. I learned a huge lesson on patience when things don't go my way, and I've been much happier since. :) It's been a good week!

PLUS! We got to end it with GENERAL CONFERENCE!

Ok, I have to say, before Conference, I made a list of questions that I had answers to. I mainly asked the question, "How can I do life as a Return Missionary successfully?" And you know what most of the talks seemed to be about?

MARRIAGE.

UGH! Not yet! Not happening! But aside from that, Conference was good! I received a lot of revelation about other things. I really liked Elder Pearson's talk. It was what I needed to hear. I can't wait to review the notes I took. Luckily our car has a USB port, so I just put all the Conference talks on my jump drive so we can listen to them all this week. :D

We really are so privileged to live in a time where there are living prophets and apostles to lead and guide us. I know they are called of God. I can't deny it! Our Savior loves us so much that He calls apostles and prophets to lead and guide us here. How grateful I am for their counsel! I am so grateful that the Spirit taught me what I needed to know specifically for my life.

Alright my friends, next week will be my big sob-email. For now, I'm going to enjoy my final week of declaring the Gospel to EVERYONE!!!!!!!! It's not going to stop after my mission, but I'm going to give it my all while I'm still doing it full-time. LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Porter

Patience

Well. This week I found out Heavenly Father definitely has a sense of humor! Just when I was thinking to myself, "Wow, Hermana Porter, you have actually become a more patient person! Good job!"  .........

- My curling iron broke halfway through curling my hair yesterday, about an hour before church...the little metal coil under the handle broke, so now there's no spring to keep it closed! And my comp didn't have a curling iron... and my hair is too short to pull into a bun....can anyone say bad hair day?

- The missionary email system got shut down for a few hours this morning and we couldn't get on until just now.

Like I said, Heavenly Father gives you... opportunities, to develop Christlike attributes when you pray to develop them. And you just have to take em as they come and be grateful--no matter how hard it is!

This week was quite the trial for me. On Tuesday I went to the doctor because I was feeling a lot worse and showing signs of bronchitis (Ain't nobody got time for that! Especially a missionary!!!). I had an upper respiratory infection that would've turned into it had I let it go any longer. They put me on antiobiotics and prescribed "rest", but I didn't want to rest! I wanted to work! But then the next day we had interviews with President & Sister Brough, and they ordered me to rest. So that's what I did for two days. It was so hard and frustrating for me. The sleep felt nice, but it was frustrating because I told myself I was going to work harder than ever this transfer. The first two weeks were going great, and then I crashed. I just remember breaking down frustrated, saying, "I don't want to end my mission like this!" But then I remembered that sometimes God has a different plan than we do. We need to learn to be ok with it, come what may.

I've been focusing a lot this week on how we need to make God's will and plan, OUR will and plan. Like they said in the Women's Conference on Saturday evening, "If it's God's plan, it should also be our plan." We can't change God's will or plan no matter how much we may want to, and we shouldn't try to force our own. That's what Satan tried to do. Heavenly Father knows better than we do. We have to be humble and prayerful enough to learn it and accept it. Honestly, we're a whole lot happier when we do!

Luckily I am feeling better now and back to normal. Thank you antibiotics and priesthood blessings! I am ready to serve hard and work hard these next two weeks. April is coming up this week, but I'm trying not to think about it. We have been seeing a lot of success with some great people we're teaching and working with, and I'm going to keep working hard with them til the very end. I just love Kentucky and never want to leave!!!! (Spring in Kentucky is BEAUTIFUL. Just sayin!)

Well, my friends, have patience. Trust God. And believe in Him! Also, watch this video and share it with EVERYONE!!!!!! That's what we're doing! #BecauseHeLives

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-shares-because-he-lives-easter-initiative

Hermana Porter

Lifetime of Learning

It never ceases to amaze me how much I am learning each week. So many things have happened this past week...where do I even begin!

We went out of town for two days on a couple of blitzes in Evansville and Owensboro. Because of some things that happened there, I learned 3 very important lessons:

1. I finally learned the meaning of charity. I'm not perfect at applying it yet, but I had an epiphany of sorts this week. We need to havecompassion on each other. Having charity means having compassion. This means giving each other the benefit of the doubt and not focusing on each others' weaknesses and bad qualities. Focus on others' strengths! We wouldn't want others to focus on our bad qualities! And just be nice!

2. EXACT obedience is key! It's not enough to be kind of obedient or to kind of follow the rules. Follow them with exactness; don't look for loopholes; and be responsible! You will earn God's respect as you show Him you are worthy of it. In everything you do, think of Christ. You can't stand before Him confidently and say you truly love Him if you aren't even willing to obey His commandments with exactness. Show you deserve His trust and revelation by your acts of obedience. EXACT OBEDIENCE BRINGS TRUE HAPPINESS! And you can never be too obedient!

3. This kind of goes along with the last one. It's a quote from Preach My Gospel that I wrote down on the final day of my planner: "The attitude you have toward your mission experience is a reflection of your love toward your Heavenly Father and His Son and yourrespect for the priesthood." I love my mission. I haven't served perfectly, but I have tried. I am trying my hardest to show God that I truly love Him and am truly thankful for my mission experience. I love my Heavenly Father. I love my Savior. I'm not perfect at showing it, but I'm trying to.

Although this week was kind of rough, I know that the experiences I had helped me have those little revelations. Like I said, I'm amazed at how much I'm still learning!

I've been sick most of the week, and last night I finally got a blessing. But I woke up today feeling a lot worse. It started off as allergies last weekend, but this weekend it turned into a phlegmy cough. My whole body hurts, and I feel absolutely drained. It's a little frustrating because I really wanted to work hard this final transfer. I was working the hardest I ever had the first two weeks, but this last week really slowed me down. I want to work! I want to find! But I was reminded in my blessing that I need to rest too. Meh. Ok.

Last thing: Nancy is AMAZING! She is our little miracle! She has come to church every Sunday since we met her, has been reading in the Book of Mormon every day and praying, and this last week she informed us that she quit watching CMT on Sundays and started watching BYUTV instead! haha. She also said she drove to Crestwood the other day and tried to look for the temple but didn't quite get there. She is such a gem! This week we're watching the Women's Conference with her and having her over to a member's home to teach her a lesson. She is teaching ME so much!!!!

I love life. I love my mission. Hope it never ends.

Hermana Porter

[ No Subject]

What a week it's been. I don't even know where to start!

Hermana Graham went home. I miss her dearly!! It was SO different when she left....made me pretty sad for a few days. She's a tough presence to fill! But it's ok. I'll see her soon! I just miss her so much! She's really inspired me to be better and to make this last transfer the best.

My new companion is Hermana Hopwood. She's sweet! She's been out for about 11 months, and this is her third area. She just came from Lexington. She's from Colorado. Nice girl!

The day after Hermana Graham left, a HUGE snow storm rolled in. We got about a foot of snow, and all day Thursday we weren't allowed to use our car. So we walked around, as far as we could go, in a foot of snow to try and find people to teach. It was good! The only thing that frustrated me though is that we couldn't go to the other half of the area we took over from the Spanish Elders. I was feeling really frustrated that we couldn't go meet all the investigators and less-actives they've been working with; I felt pretty stuck.

We spent the first few days organizing the two area books, going through formers, organizing like crazy. You know how I get when I get to cleaning and organizing stuff. My poor companion probably thinks I'm crazy haha. When I get doing something my way, I get a little lost in it. But we have most of it all organized and cleaned up, so I feel a little better. Eventually we made it out of the house and got to use the car again, and we finally met all the new people. We have been talking to people like crazy and meeting people all over the place. So many Hispanics!!! I love it!!! There is PLENTY of work to do here these next few weeks!

Guess what! I went on an exchange with the Lexington Hermanas, and one of them is the brand new Hermana Imlay! :D She and I talked about Hurricane a bit. She told me when she met you, Mom haha. She's great. :) She'll be just fine out here. I'm excited to see where her mission takes her! I'm glad I got to work with her once before I go!

The work is really on fire here, and we're excited about it. Nancy came to church for the third time yesterday, and her daughter and son-in-law came to visit from Ohio. It was fantastic! Please keep her in your prayers; she's struggling to quit coffee, so we're working hard with her. We also are working with lots of other wonderful people. I'm excited to see what else happens this transfer.

I've really determined not to think about the end of this transfer. I'm working hard, giving it all I have and giving the Lord whatever else I have left to consecrate. Hermana Graham really inspired me, and I'm excited to work hard and give it what I have these next few weeks. Lots of hard work coming up, but I'm ready for it! Here we go!

Love you all! Read the Book of Mormon!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

The Big News

Well, here's the transfer news! My greenie, Hermana Gamett, is training!! I'm going to be a grandma!! She's going to do so well! :) We also have 3 other hermanas training. President Brough is also closing the Shelbyville Spanish Elders' area, so it's combining with ours.... That's going to be huge. Our area just got a whoooole lot bigger. Well, at least we'll have plenty of work to do my final transfer. One zone got dissolved, and lots of areas are getting rearranged...should be an interesting transfer meeting tomorrow! Plus we're losing 26 missionaries and getting 10 new ones. AH!

Also....we're getting a new car tomorrow. I hope it's a new Corolla. Those things are niiiice.

I think that's about it for big news!

The Funny Stuff

We saw a duck get hit by a car on Friday. It just planted itself in the middle of the lane, and all of the sudden we see this big hunk of duck go rolling down the street, feathers everywhere. Ugh, it was horrible. We saw it just relaxing in its final moments.... It was a good, solid duck too!

The Spiritual Stuff

Ok, now for some miracles. Last Saturday (the 21st) I had stepped into a huge slushy pile of cold water and snow, so Hermana Graham and I decided to go buy some Little Caesar's instead of cooking because we were so frozen. As we were walking out with our pizza, a middle-aged man with two teenage girls stopped and he said, "Look, it's the sisters!" We were confused because we'd never seen him before, so we stopped and talked to him. Turns out he's a less-active from Minnesota and has lived in Shelbyville for a while, but he's never come to Church. Last night we stopped by to see him and his family, and he told us that about how he converted, how he used to be the YM's president for a while, and why he fell away. Then he told us, "That day I met you at Little Caesar's, I had told myself just 3 hours before, 'If I ever run into the elders or the sisters again, I know it's time to come back to the Church.' " And sure enough, that's when we ran into him! Isn't that a miracle?! And to make things better, he has two daughters who want to get baptized!! What a miracle!

Nancy is doing fantastic too. She came to church on Sunday for the second time and just loved it. Axel also came too. We had quite a few Spanish members there! They reorganized the Bishopric yesterday, and it was also fast and testimony meeting. It was probably the most spiritual sacrament meeting I've ever been in. I learned so much from the testimonies that were shared and from observing the young families and wonderful members we have here in Shelbyville. My heart was full.

My dear Hermana Graham is leaving me tomorrow. It hasn't been hitting her, but it finally did when we woke up at 6 am to do our deep cleaning this morning. I just listened to her and hugged her as she cried. I'm going to miss her so much. Of all the companions I've had, she's affected my life and my future the most. I don't know how I'm going to do 6 more weeks without her! She's inspired me beyond my mission. My life goals and aspirations are hire because of the things we learned together. She's one of the closest friends I've ever had.

Well. I'm going into my final transfer. It's been weird being with Hermana Graham and just being a transfer behind her. She's been so focused on the work, that it hardly seems real. I've been watching what's going to happen to me. Honestly, it scares me. It hit me on Sunday, March 1st, that I'm finishing. This next transfer is going to be extremely busy with combining areas, MLC, 10 exchanges, General Conference, and 2 baptisms...but it's inevitable. It ends! I can't focus on it. I'm going to finish strong and focus on the here-and-now. I'm going to give God whatever it is I have left to give and leave the mission a bit stronger than it was before.

It's happening! Here we go GKLM! Stay strong, work hard, fight hard, love hard y'all!

Hermana Porter

Don't Step in the Snow!

I thought I knew cold when I moved to Provo. 

And then I moved to Kentucky. 

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

We had quite the week with weather! On Monday, we were lucky and got to email because our apartment complex has a computer. But most missionaries didn't get to email until Thursday or Friday because of all the crazy weather we got. It snowed ALL DAY Monday (10 inches!) and then again all day Wednesday...and we had to drive in it! Luckily my companion drove...because I'm from Arizona and don't know how. :p We had a meeting 30 minutes from where we live that we had to give a training at, and it took us a good hour and 15 minutes to get there Wednesday morning because of the snow. 

To make matters worse, it got up to 40 degrees on Saturday, so everything started to melt, and then it started to rain. Everything turned to pure slush, and I got to learn it the hard way! We were knocking doors on 10th Street, and I started walking into this yard, but as soon as I stepped into the snow, it turned into a deep pit of black water up to the middle of the calf. And I kept walking into it, thinking "I'll hit the sidewalk any second now!" BUT NO! There's nothing colder than soaking wet boots and 10 degree weather friends. BRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! 

Aside from all the "fun" weather problems, we had a pretty good week. Gave a training at Zone Meeting, had an exchange with the Corydon hermanas, got lost driving in Louisville again, and saw a couple of cool miracles. We also pushed a few cars out of the snow and cleaned windshields for people. Monday night we had to go work without a car, so we were walking around trying to talk to people, but there was literally no one outside...except for some gym buffs trying to dig their way into the gym on Main St. That was an interesting conversation. 

ANYWAY! Kentucky is great! I have to tell myself, "I'm from Alaska! I love the snow! I love the cold! I loooove it!" everyday when I go outside...and it kind of works! 

Also....it's my final week with Hermana Graham. She's going home in a week! :( I'm going to miss her! I don't know who my new companion will be, but I'll know by next Monday! AH! Then it's my last transfer....... just push it under the rug, I don't need to think about it yet! 

Keep on truckin' yall, and keep us in your prayers! I'll do the same! Love you!!!!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

What a day! It's been snowing all morning, and we're supposed to be getting 8-12 inches by the end of tonight. President Brough restricted the whole mission from using our cars until 12:00 tomorrow, so we're stuck inside until then. Luckily our apartment complex has a computer in the office, so we get to email for a bit. We're going to trek over to Goodwill after this. Luckily it's right across the street.

Before I get started talking about the conference with Elder Christofferson and Elder Soares, I have to tell you a really funny story! It's probably the funniest thing that's happened on my mission so far. I was in Lexington on an exchange the other day, and Hermana Arnoldsen and I were walking around a neighborhood talking to random people. We got to talking to this nice black lady, and about 3-4 minutes into our conversation a bird pooped right on her face! I had the hardest time not laughing. I awkwardly looked up and said, "Oh, it's a bird" and hooked her up with a tissue and hand sanitizer. It was so embarrassing. Luckily we didn't laugh until later, but man, self-control was a virtue in that moment!

Saturday morning, Elder Christofferson of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy came to speak to our entire mission. It began at 9:00 am. It was so cool to watch him walk in -- he was shorter than I expected -- and to feel the Spirit rush into the room. Elder Soares spoke first, then his wife, then Elder Christofferson's wife spoke, and finally Elder Christofferson. He did just a question and answer session, and there were a lot of good questions posed, such as:

- How can I be the best companion I can be?

- What is the significance/symbolism of the laying on of hands?

- How can I help my less-active family members and friends from out here?

- What is the term 'Heaven' intended to describe?

I just have to tell you: I learned a lot from his responses, but I learned a lot more by just observing him -- observing the way he talked, responded, moved, etc. He was so peaceful. He was not rushed. He was real. He was professional. He was so Christlike. In the end, he left us with his testimony. He said, "Above all else, I want you to remember and know that I said to you in person, that I know that Christ lives. I know He is our Savior."

Brothers and Sisters! We have prophets in the land today! This Church is lead by Christ Himself, not by man! I have listened to and seen an apostle of the Lord in person, and I can't deny the things the Spirit testified to me: that he is one called of God to be his special witness; that Christ lives; that God loves us and knows us; that this Church is the Church of Jesus Christ. Above all, I want the peace the Spirit brings. I want to emulate Christ. I want to have the Spirit with me always. I don't want to jeopardize that one bit by doing something against God's will and commandments. No matter how hard the circumstance or difficulty in keeping a certain commandment, do it anyway. There is no sin that's worth losing the Spirit. Use the gift you've been given. Be worthy of it always. It's so precious! A testimony is so precious!

Christ lives! I am so grateful to be a missionary so I can declare that to the world right now! I love this Church. I love my Father in Heaven. If you still don't have a testimony of the Church or of the Prophet or of Christ, ask God. Do what it takes. I know He will give it to you.

I love you all!!!!!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

There are some weeks on the mission that just plain exhaust you. Like this week! But it was lovely!

Hermana Graham and I went to Churchill Downs on Monday after emailing. It was marvelous! I love it! We need to come back and see it after my mission and actually go to the Derby! We also learned lots of fun-facts about horses, the Kentucky Derby, and jockeys. Oh, and we learned how to throw our very own derby party. It's gonna happen!

Monday night we had our STL sleepover in the mission home. Tuesday we had our MLC all day, and then on Wednesday we had our Zone Conference. Then right after Zone Conference we went on an exchange, and then Friday was weekly planning, and Saturday we had another exchange. Then last night we drove to Louisville for a Spanish mission home fireside. I'm exhausted! But it was so fun! I love the mission!

And guess what!!!! D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON is coming to speak to us on Saturday for 2 hours!!!!! I am SO stoked!!! I will give you more details next week! Maybe I can get a selfie with him.....doubt it, but eh, here's to trying!

I work with some pretty amazing individuals out here. I'm grateful to be an STL because I get to learn from some awesome people and serve them. I got to go on an exchange with my old companion Hermana Wilkinson. I'm so grateful that exchange happened because I learned a whole lot from her. She's amazing. The mission is sweet!

Last night we had our Spanish fireside in Louisville, and I got to see tons of the members from Corydon. Made my heart happy. We have so many amazing members in this mission, especially Hispanics. It was so cool to see them taking notes, writing down their testimonies, asking us if they could go up and share their stories/testimonies, etc. They are some pretty elect and wonderful people. I love this all so much. It made it hard to imagine having to leave it. Luckily I still have two more "charlas" (firesides) to go to before I'm out.

Life is sweet. Missionary work is sweet. Keep on keepin' on yall. Love ya!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

First off, the Terry family is in my prayers. It just breaks my heart to hear that. My companion and I will pray for them. :( You are in my thoughts and prayers Terrys!!!! Love from Kentucky!

We had quite a fantastic week this week. On Tuesday we went to the temple. It's amazing the power you get from going to the temple regularly. I hate that we don't get to go often as missionaries, but I cherish the few times I've been able to go. Just when I feel like I'm floundering, we get to go to the temple and receive that added strength and drive. It's amazing. The Spirit you feel in the temple is so strong. It's incomparable! I'm so grateful for the temple and the things we learn there about the Plan of Salvation. What comfort it brings to know we have a Savior who has made it possible for us to repent and return to our Heavenly Father. What sweet peace that brings.

This last week we went to Evansville and...OWENSBORO!!!! And I saw the Capeners!!!!!!!!! It was like coming home. :) I just love them soooo much! It was a surprise for the girls, so they got all excited when they saw me. Then Sister C made Café Rio for dinner. Mmm mmm! <3

My Owensboro exchange was eventful and wonderful. I got to drive a new 2014 Toyota Corolla....I think my life has changed. haha. Anyway, I got to go with Hermana Bennett, my last companion. It was so good to work with her again. She is passing through some difficult trials right now that I don't need to include in here, but we were able to talk about things and feel the Spirit. She's amazing, and it breaks my heart to watch her go through what she's going through. I hope I helped in some way. That's what I love about being an STL: I get to work with so many amazing hermanas with different stories, situations, struggles and strengths. And I get to help them in whatever way I can. I can see now how the Lord has prepared me throughout my mission with certain experiences to help me be able to help others. What a blessing!

It brings comfort to my soul to know 1. that God has a plan, and 2. God is aware of each and every one of us. He knows our situations. He knows our hearts, our struggles, our pains and worries. Since He knows those things, He provided us with a Savior:

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled whichsaith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bandsof death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to theflesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

He did what He did so He could know how to help us when we struggle, when we have heartbreak, when we worry and cry. I am seeing just an inkling of that love and mercy and gratitude as I serve as an STL. I will happily experience what God would have me experience if it means I can help others. I just pray I can handle it gracefully and faithfully.

I love you all. Keep on truckin' and stay positive. The Lord is on your side!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

Helloooooo World!

Sorry I'm emailing a day late! They switched our pday today because we are going to the TEMPLE today!!!!!!!!!! Woo!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited! Bring on the revelation!!!!!!!!!!

SO! It's freezing cold! It snowed this weekend when I was in Louisville on an exchange (I was in Hikes! My old area!). That was quite the interesting day because we literally walked all over town for about 4 hours...WHILE it was snowing. But hey, can't complain; at least I'm not serving in Minnesota or Alaska.... My companion is getting quite the kick out of me being from Arizona. She's keeping a quote book of all the things I say about the cold. For example, the other night it was about 45 degrees out, and we were cleaning the windows of the car and I asked, "Is this going to freeze?" :P You never know!

We have experienced some pretty awesome miracles this last week. We are teaching these two elderly sisters here in Shelbyville whose daughter/niece in Ohio just got baptized two or three years ago and is now being a great member missionary (from afar). It's great! Their names are Mary and Nancy, and they are both so receptive to the gospel. It's amazing! And then we met this other new lady, Hortensia, on the street the other day. I felt like we should walk from the library to the Mexican restaurant where our next lesson was going to be, and we ran into Hortensia and her two kids. She had investigated about 5 years ago for quite a while, and now she's so receptive. Her first question to us was, "How does the Spirit work? And how can I recognize it?" Well well well let us tell you!! There's a whole chapter on that in Preach My Gospel! ;) She's Pentecostal, so she's got a VERY different perspective on how the Spirit works, but she's open and wants to know!

One thing I've learned as a missionary is how church will be as a mother someday. Goodness, Sundays are not a day of rest out here! We have to wrangle in the investigators, and some of recent converts happen to be kids, so we have to make sure they stay OFF the tables in Primary and stay INSIDE the building at all times. It's a workout!!! I have a new-found respect for mothers.... Phew!

Well, time sure is winding down. I don't know whether to panic or just stay calm...problem is, I try to stay calm, but inside I'm freaking out. Oh well. Life keeps going on! I'm enjoying every second I have out. Although I've really been doubting myself lately, especially my ability to follow the Spirit, I know I can keep moving forward and working on my weaknesses. I love being a missionary. It's the best thing I could've done. EVER. I love my life right now. Cherish every moment, even the hard ones!!!

Read your Book of Mormon yall! Keep on truckin'! Love yall!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

Hello everyone!

Can I just say I am so grateful for life? Sometimes I just wonder why Heavenly Father is so wonderful and giving. Even in hard times, He's so merciful. We just have to notice His tender mercies everywhere we look.

We had a great week! Eric got baptized on Saturday. It was a small but beautiful service. I think he thinks we're not coming back to teach him cause he was freaking out on Sunday about when we're coming back to visit him haha. His mom really felt the Spirit at the baptism. We're working on her next. I'm just so happy Eric is baptized now. He's going to be such an example to his family. :)

We finished up our exchanges this last week. There are two companionships of hermanas in Lexington, so we exchanged them both last week. I love Lexington! Wish I could've served there! I just miss being in the city where there's tons of people to talk to outside, whether it's hot or cold. I am so grateful that I get to work with so many wonderful hermanas. I learn so many things from their examples, and I'm grateful I get to pass on some "wisdom" to them before I go. It's been humbling and inspiring being a leader and getting to help the hermanas catch the vision and become the missionary and people Heavenly Father needs and wants them to be. We have the BEST mission.... I will take on anyone else who disagrees. ;) haha. I really do love my mission. Go GKLM!!!

Today is transfers, but we didn't go because Hermana Graham and I are staying together another transfer!!! WOO! I am SO grateful for that. Hermana Graham is my soul sister!!! I know we were meant to be friends. We just get each other, and I can't thank Heavenly Father enough for letting us be companions. We learn so much from each other every day. It's inspiring and motivating. I love her to death!!! She goes home in 6 weeks, so I'm just grateful I get her for her final 2 transfers.

I guess my greatest fear after leaving the mission is not being able to feel the Spirit as much as I do now. I am constantly aware of how surrounded I am by the Spirit all the time because I can feel the stark difference when it leaves. I want to be as close to the Spirit as possible after my mission. It's worth anything to keep by me at all times. Help a sister out yall!

Well, I am going to get heading out since we don't have a ton of time today. Just know that I'm happy, content, and peaceful about everything right now. I love everyone and everything!!! It's a peace that can only be found in the Gospel. I love it. :)

LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

Hellooooooooooooo todos!!!

My goodness it is cold! But it's ok because I've discovered what Biscoff is, and I'm in 7th Heaven. Mmmm :)

This week went pretty well! We had two exchanges with some wonderful hermanas. I learn so much from every exchange I go on. What a privilege! Everyone is so different, and I've seen how my experiences have been able to help some of the hermanas. I even got a thank you note from one of them the other day! :) I just love being an STL. Plus my companion is amazing! I really don't know what I would've done if I wasn't her companion! I am SO grateful for her. Gah! Hermana Graham rocks!

This week was really busy. On Monday evening we went to a mall (my first time ever on my mission...weird) before going to the mission home. All the STLs (8 of us) spent the night in the mission home and helped Sister Brough with dinner and taking down the Christmas decorations. We even got to sit at the dinner table and talk to President about some issues the mission is facing. It was so great! Then the next day all the Zone Leaders came for our Mission Leadership Council, and I felt like I was sitting in a the hall of Greats. It was ridiculous but wonderful. I was kind of wondering, "Uh, what am I doing here?" But it was an amazing 7 hour meeting. I was very inspired and motivated to help and improve. Both President and the APs trained us. The AP training was my favorite. We talked about how we can help self-motivate other missionaries. Then they gave us STLs a talk entitled "The Belief Window" by Hyrum W. Smith. WOW. It has changed by LIFE! You can't find the audio online, but I'm going to have to copy it and bring it home for yall cause it's amazing.

So that was fun! We then had an exchange with the Hurstbourne hermanas, and then we had another exchange on Saturday with the Paris hermanas. It was pretty fun! :) We also had to do a training in a Zone Meeting, so that was crazy. We trained the zone on how to drop investigators who aren't progressing. It was pretty funny and spiritual. :)

OH! And we're having a BAPTISM this Saturday!!! Eric is a 9 year old we've been teaching, and he's so ready for baptism! His sister Brianna (11) got baptized in November. It's going to be great! I feel like a proud mom! :) He knows it all! And just when you think he's not retaining much, he blurts it all out and you realize, "Yep, he's definitely ready." haha.

I just love the mission. I really really really do. I feel so lucky and privileged and blessed. I am so inspired and love the Spirit. I just love this Gospel! I just want to give it to everyone!!!! Everyone within reading distance of my email, GO ON A MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!! It'll be the best thing you ever do!!!!!! I am just filled with too much love and happiness and inspiration. I've gotta go share it!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

Hellooooooooooooo todos!!!

My goodness it is cold! But it's ok because I've discovered what Biscoff is, and I'm in 7th Heaven. Mmmm :)

This week went pretty well! We had two exchanges with some wonderful hermanas. I learn so much from every exchange I go on. What a privilege! Everyone is so different, and I've seen how my experiences have been able to help some of the hermanas. I even got a thank you note from one of them the other day! :) I just love being an STL. Plus my companion is amazing! I really don't know what I would've done if I wasn't her companion! I am SO grateful for her. Gah! Hermana Graham rocks!

This week was really busy. On Monday evening we went to a mall (my first time ever on my mission...weird) before going to the mission home. All the STLs (8 of us) spent the night in the mission home and helped Sister Brough with dinner and taking down the Christmas decorations. We even got to sit at the dinner table and talk to President about some issues the mission is facing. It was so great! Then the next day all the Zone Leaders came for our Mission Leadership Council, and I felt like I was sitting in a the hall of Greats. It was ridiculous but wonderful. I was kind of wondering, "Uh, what am I doing here?" But it was an amazing 7 hour meeting. I was very inspired and motivated to help and improve. Both President and the APs trained us. The AP training was my favorite. We talked about how we can help self-motivate other missionaries. Then they gave us STLs a talk entitled "The Belief Window" by Hyrum W. Smith. WOW. It has changed by LIFE! You can't find the audio online, but I'm going to have to copy it and bring it home for yall cause it's amazing.

So that was fun! We then had an exchange with the Hurstbourne hermanas, and then we had another exchange on Saturday with the Paris hermanas. It was pretty fun! :) We also had to do a training in a Zone Meeting, so that was crazy. We trained the zone on how to drop investigators who aren't progressing. It was pretty funny and spiritual. :)

OH! And we're having a BAPTISM this Saturday!!! Eric is a 9 year old we've been teaching, and he's so ready for baptism! His sister Brianna (11) got baptized in November. It's going to be great! I feel like a proud mom! :) He knows it all! And just when you think he's not retaining much, he blurts it all out and you realize, "Yep, he's definitely ready." haha.

I just love the mission. I really really really do. I feel so lucky and privileged and blessed. I am so inspired and love the Spirit. I just love this Gospel! I just want to give it to everyone!!!! Everyone within reading distance of my email, GO ON A MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!! It'll be the best thing you ever do!!!!!! I am just filled with too much love and happiness and inspiration. I've gotta go share it!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I just shout it from the rooftops?! :D I seriously love my life. I really really do. I just want to be a missionary forever!!!

This last week was quite eventful! Maybe I'll just write it out day-by-day:

Tuesday, I was in LaGrange on a exchange (haha that rhymed) all day. It went so well! They had some investigators there that I really clicked with. I shared a lot about my conversion story, and I totally empathized with one of the girls they are teaching. At the end of the lesson, she said, "I really need to do my reading. I need to read the Book of Mormon!" It was great! Then when we exchanged back that night, Hermana Graham filled me in on some mission drama that had happened since I'd been gone. It was CRAZY. It's weird to be on the inside circle....

Wednesday was New Years Eve. I had a breakdown on Thursday morning, realizing that is was 2015 and the mission is ending soon. I was a weepy mess. Hermana Graham and I have both been so up and down lately with emotions. It's quite the sight haha. I just felt so sad realizing that it's the year I go home. On one hand I'm excited to see everyone again, but I also feel a lot of panic inside knowing I have to go back to normal life. It's just hitting home. I just got permission to go online and pick out my classes at BYU. AH. I don't want to have to think about this stuff yet! Ugh! Then to make matters worse, I hit a bird on Wednesday, and I'm pretty sure I killed it.  

But anyway, I'm not turning this into a little crying-sesh for yall. haha. Aside from my little late-mission-crisis, it was pretty good week. We are teaching some great families and seeing miracles all over. Our exchanges were pretty fun! I got to go back to Hikes for a day! That was fun!! They are working with some great people. Hikes is the area I was in for just one transfer. My greenie that I trained is there, but I worked with her companion, Hermana Magalei, this time. She's from Hawaii. She's so fun and loving! I also got to stay in Shelbyville with Hermana Graham's greenie, Hermana Farris, all day Friday. It was pretty great!

I love going on exchanges and working with all the hermanas! Sometimes it's crazy because I miss my own companion haha but I learn a lot from everyone. It's such a blessing! I love the GKLM!!!!!

 

Also. Bradon sent me a magazine about sheep. I have to admit, it was pretty funny. My comp and I were on the floor laughing for a good while. But I still hate sheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep movin forward yall! Pray for miracles and read the scriptures and eat some tamales, and all will be well!!!!!!!!! :)

Love from the GKLM!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

Hello hello hello!!!!!!!

It was so good to see you all on Thursday! I love seeing your faces and hearing your voices! :)

Christmas was so fun. The families in my ward here really take care of us. We have sooooo much candy and junk in the apartment. You can imagine what our New Year's Resolution is going to be. haha. But anyway, we had a fun Christmas day. Life is good!

Friday was the bessst!! I got to go back to my greenie area for an exchange! I was so excited! I got to go to Corydon with Hermana Bown. She's amazing. Our first appt. was with Josue, who my trainer and I baptized. It made my heart so happy to see him, but at the same time kind of sad because he's really struggling. :( We taught him about repentance and read Alma 36 with him. It was amazing to feel the same Spirit we used to feel when we taught him almost a year ago. Heavenly Father loves him so much, even if he's struggling. I'm going to write him an uplifting letter today. Anyway, the rest of the exchange went well. We got to see lots of members and new people. I even got to see the Van Uiterts! Their son who just got home from his mission came out teaching with us. It was great! I love Corydon!!!!! <3

The STL life is pretty exhausting but rewarding. We are getting into the thick of exchanges, so Hermana Graham and I feel like we never get to work with each other, because when we ARE together we're planning -- for the week, for our trainings, for Church. It's craziness! But our schedules are always filled, and it's so fun to get to work with all the other hermanas and see how they're doing. It's been amazing to see how some of the experiences I've had throughout the mission have been able to help some of the hermanas I've worked with. It's a wonderful calling. :)

I'm ready to get over this holiday hump already. I love Christmas and the holidays, don't get me wrong, but boy are we struggling! We've been eating so many sweets and trying not to overdose on sugar and sweets. Plus everyone's busy and/or out of town, so we had quite the interesting week. But here we go! Life's gonna get good!!

Well stay awesome yall! Happy New Year! I can't believe it's almost 2015!!!!! D: :D I don't know whether to be happy or sad about that!

LOVE YALL!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

Hey Yall!

This is going to be short because we just got home from a Christmas conference!!! I just want to send a quick update about my week!

First off, I looooooove being a Sister Training Leader!!! I get to work with all the hermanas in the mission and see all the different areas. I'm so excited! I had my first exchanges as an STL this last Friday and Saturday. On Friday we went to Evansville, and I worked with a new hermana. She's struggling a bit, but it's amazing that I could give her tons of advice because I struggled with a few of the same things she's struggling with now.

Then on Saturday I got to go back to Owensboro!!! It was so good to see everyone! It's all in good hands there :) I got to see Karen! She's the 63 year old that I helped to quit smoking. She cried when I walked in the room. :') Then we worked with Fernando and few other Less-Actives I knew before. I love Owensboro!

Tomorrow I will be in Louisville, probably on a bike all day in the rain. Should be fun!!! Wish me luck!

Today we went to a mission conference. All the missionaries in the mission were there! It was sooo fun! We had a fun program, games, and lunch. I love seeing and socializing with everyone. We have some pretty amazing missionaries here in the GKLM. I am among great men and women here. :) I wish I could send you the videos I recorded, but it'll have to wait!

I am grateful for my amazing companion, Hermana Graham. She uplifts, edifies and inspires me so much! This is the best companionship I have ever been in. I am so grateful for the goals she's helping me to set and for the person she is inspiring me to be. We have the best conversations all the time. AHHH I just think she's the greatest! we are both trying to be more and more obedient each day so we and others can receive blessings!!

Ok I am going to end here since I will be Skyping yall on Thursday!! I'll have more to tell you then! :D I will call you later tonight to set up a time on Thursday, so be ready! :D ADIOS!!!!!!!!!!!!! LES QUIERO MUCHISIMO!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

To start off, I think I'm allergic to ham. Ugh.

But my new area is awesome!!! I'm in Shelbyville, KY, which is just outside of Louisville. We teach in both English and Spanish, and we're working with some pretty amazing people right now. Hermana Graham and Hermana Binks have done some great work here. I hope I can keep up with her! This week we're going to start going on exchanges. We're going back to Owensboro this weekend--woohoo! But the Capeners will be out of town.... :(

Saying goodbye to Owensboro wasn't as hard knowing that I'd be back. This week has been pretty crazy. Transfer Meeting on Tuesday was pretty fun. Afterward we got lunch, and then when we got home we jumped right into planning our exchanges. It's going to be a fun transfer! As an STL, we got on exchanges with 11 other areas of Spanish hermanas. Somedays I'll be in Shelbyville, and somedays I'll be in other areas. I'm really excited!

We saw a few miracles this week too. We're teaching this guy, Matt, and his wife Brittany, who's pregnant with their first kid. He just lost his job this week, and he's really worried since they have a baby on the way. The member we brought with us was great! She said she had gone through the same exact thing a year before. Totally inspired! Matt agreed to be baptized! :)

Then last night we went to go visit our main progressing investigator, and that ended up being a very dramatic visit. He lives with some members who are pretty....well, anti-Mormon now, and they flipped out on us for coming over. And poor Julio didn't want any conflict....ay ay ay! Satan's working hard, but God's always stronger!!

I'm so excited to be able to work here with such an awesome companion and with all the hermanas. It's going to be an amazing few months! I'll be STL until I go home in April I think. My companion goes home just a transfer before me. Hermana Graham is amazing. She's seriously perfect. I love her to death!!

Life is good everyone! Keep moving forward and share your testimony with everyone you meet!!! Love you!!

Hermana Porter

Transfer News!

So, I'm getting transferred! I'm going to be a Sister Training Leader! That means I'm going to be going on exchanges and training all the other hermanas. Should be fun!! My new area is Shelbyville, KY, and my new companion is HERMANA GRAHAM!!! I'm SO SO SO excited to work with her! She is awesome!!!

I'm kind of nervous about all this! President Brough called me on Saturday to ask me to be the new STL, and I said, "Uh, are you sure?" And he jokingly said, "Well I wasn't sure about it, but the Lord was." Then he said, "I'm just kidding. I made the decision and then took it to the Lord, and He approved." :D So yeah! It makes leaving Owensboro a little less hard just because I know I'll be coming back here 3 more times before I go home. All I know is that these next 3 transfers are going to flyyyyyy. 

Here is my new address:

1075 Lakeview Drive #210 

Shelbyville, KY 40065

Aside from that news, this week was pretty eventful! Elder Erich W. Kopischke came and spoke to us in a mission conference on Friday. I left very inspired with a stronger testimony of prayer. He didn't come with an agenda or anything to talk about. He asked us to write down questions that we had for about 5 minutes, and then he would follow the Spirit and teach us for 2 hours. WOW. I was blown away! Eventually, after speaking for a little bit, he asked for a few questions. An elder asked the question, "Do I have stewardship over my family and friends at home?" I was so shocked -- that was essentially one of MY questions! Elder Kopischke answered it by having us read in D&C 100:1-8. He then spoke a few sentences that I REALLY needed to hear. I just sat there and cried. I felt like he was speaking directly to me. Elder Kopischke had NO idea what questions we wrote down, yet he answered every single one of mine. He was teaching by the Spirit for sure. I KNOW Heavenly Father answers prayers. He is SO aware of each and every one of us and our struggles. He will answer you as you are ready to receive it. Have faith and keep showing Heavenly Father you are searching, pondering, and thirsting for an answer. 

I love the mission!!! The GKLM is the BEST!!! <3 Keep working hard everyone! I love you!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Porter

[No Subject]

I had quite the week!

First of all, let me share with you all the little miracle I experienced this week. I shall call it "The Miracle of the Wisdom Tooth." SO. I went in to go get my root canal done on a tooth on Tuesday, and I had blocked out our schedule for the day just in case I was dead in the afternoon. I went in, and they did a couple tests, and they came back and said, "Well, good news! You don't have a root canal! But we do need to pull your wisdom tooth."

After all the wisdom tooth horror stories I've heard....you can imagine the look on my face and the feelings I was feeling at that moment. SO unprepared!!!

I told him to go ahead and do it, so he numbed me up, let me sit for 20 minutes, and then came in to pull my tooth. I braced myself, waiting to die....and 3 minutes later I was up, wisdom tooth out, gauze in my mouth and ready to go. They gave me extra gauze, told me not to drink out of a straw and sent me on my way. 

This entire week I have had ZERO pain and ZERO swelling. It's a Christmas miracle!!!! I'm considering this a big blessing of being a missionary haha. Maybe I should get all of them pulled... Juuuust kidding!

I was able to go to the Pie Party at our branch president's house on Wednesday night, and then I got to eat a very delicious Thanksgiving dinner at the Beckners'. :) It was a good week! Plus we were able to get quite a bit of work done. The Capeners invited us over for some really fun Thanksgiving games that night. I decided I'm going to do Thanksgiving games from now on! Smart idea! 

Then yesterday we got to go to a baptism in Evansville, and our investigator Fernando came! It was great! One of the baptisms was a hispanic man, and Fernando was so intrigued by the way we get baptize. He was asking all sorts of questions and really felt the Spirit. I know he did. I'm so excited for him to get baptized soon. Hopefully in January!! I was so happy that he got to experience that yesterday. Nothing like a baptism to bring in the Spirit! It was powerful.

I have been so blessed to be here in Owensboro. I love all the families here and all of the investigators we have. I'm grateful for everything about my mission!! Transfer calls are this Saturday, and I have a feeling I'm getting transferred into my final area, so I will keep you posted next Monday. I can't believe I only have 3 transfers left...yuck!!!! I need at least another year! ;) just kidding mom....

Anyway, keep being awesome yall. Keep writing/emailing me....I'm progressively getting less and less letters/emails....you would think I was getting older in the mission or something! ;) I LOVE ALL OF YOU!

The Church is true! I know it! Share it with EVERYONE!!!!!!!

Hermana Porter