WOW Week

This week was awesome! With week after week being slow and so hard to find people to teach, this week was blooming. It was such an affirmation to my testimony that God does answer our prayers. He does know our desires and our wishes for life, but he also knows the best time for people, the best situations for them to be in to have softened hearts to accept the gospel. Just as He knows that, He knows what’s best for us. In all aspects of life He has, does, and will continue to answer everyone’s prayers. He will do so according to his timing.

Wednesday: We had the World Wide Missionary Devotional. It was good to hear from the leaders of the church in the Missionary department. They announced some changes regarding the Missionary Schedule and Key Indicators. New for most people, but we were testing that out for them so we have been living those changes for the past little bit. They are awesome! Inspired changes to refocus and more efficiently do missionary work. This day I was also on exchanges with Elder Yates. We had quite a few appointments set up for the morning and early afternoon hours and some awesome people lined up that are usually always home. We were so prepared for all the lessons and were excited for them all as well. Our morning started off with a text... Appointment canceled… and from then on every one dropped off one after the other. Every person we went to drop by wasn’t home. We were like what the heck is happening. We went to this ladies house and she was out front we were so excited! We said our prayer and went up right as she walked out with her gardening gloves. She asked us to come back in a few days she had to do some yard work before the rain started again. We got in the car a little disappointing and frustrated. I told Elder Yates we just need to stay positive and keep going. He responded yes that we do! I’m sure Heavenly Father has something he needs us free for. I kid you not right after he said that our phone rings with a man who says "I need you guys right now." God answers all our prayers!! 

 Thursday: We did Fish service with Uncle Earl and went about a normal day. Then at dinner the Corotans had a birthday dinner and cake and stuff for me. It was super fun and a great day!

Friday: Youth had a multi ward Lip Sync battle. It was so fun to see and to meet all the youth and leaders throughout the stake. It was an awesome night!!

Saturday and Sunday we had our Stake Conference. Both the Saturday adult session and the regular Sunday session was fantastic! I would say the overall theme would be "Being Present with God" which was such a cool principle that I definitely needed in my life. So often we are here but we our minds are somewhere else. Whether it’s on our struggles, our needs, or whatever else it might be. We were counseled to de-junk and declutter spiritually and emotionally. As we do this we will be more opened and ready for the spirit to flow through us. We will be prepared any day any time to be an instrument in the Lords hands.. Finally we will be present with the Lord always.

It was a fantastic week! Of course there were some downs, but each down is followed by an even bigger up. If were worthy and are being faithful, diligent, and obedient the Lord will always be there to help us. It is only through his help we can be successful, but we must do our part and petition him for his help. I am so grateful to have his help and guidance in my everyday life as a missionary, without that this would be the most unsuccessful thing I have ever done. It is because of him magnifying our efforts that we can do this marvelous work. 

Let us all do more to be Present with God. Invite him to be a part of our lives and watch the miracles come daily. I love you all and thank you all for everything you do. Have a wonderful week! 

Mahalo Nui Loa,

Elder Porter

This is Dezz feeding the calves in the back yard with bottles. One in each arm and one between the legs lol.. once they are big enough they go back to the ranch. She gets her butt kicked from those young calves!

 Hi Mom

 Happy Birthday Party at the Corotans