The Power of Porter

This week the service mission had our first zone conference with the proselytizing missionaries. It was in the middle of nowhere in a barn in Declo, Idaho, which is an hour away. It was the first time we had anyone from the mission drive the van anywhere and so they didn’t know how to get me in and out of the car or how the ramp works or how to push me through the gravel. The barn was surrounded by gravel so that was stressful haha. I talked them through it and they did great.   I was able to meet the mission president and his wife and they seem awesome. We had food and then went outside and took pictures (unfortunately had to navigate the gravel again). I was grateful they did an awesome job of including the service missionaries. We listened to an amazing speaker. The man who spoke to us was so powerful and bold. His testimony was very strong and I hope to be where he is one day in his knowledge of the gospel. We watched a video that had pictures of all of the baptisms that month and

In SMT (service missionary training) we were talking about the armor of God and a sister made a comment that I really loved. She said, “armor is heavy, but it’s worth it.”   From chapter 2 of preach my gospel, “By putting on the “whole armour of God,” you will be able to discern truth from error. You will have your feet shod with the “gospel of peace.” Putting “on the breastplate of righteousness” will protect you. With the “shield of faith,” you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the adversary. You will take “the sword of [His] Spirit” to teach truth with power and authority. You will be fortified against worldly influences that could otherwise lead you to become adrift, isolated, and even alienated.” I taught preach my gospel in our district meeting on Thursday. We had a talent show and I didn’t know what to do for my talent. I rolled up to the front and said I forgot my pogo stick. Everyone laughed. Then I said, “so instead for my talent, I’m just going to do a little bit of

This week I facilitated my first gathering for BYU Pathway. They gather on zoom because the students in my group are in South Africa. There is a lead student who leads the discussion so the service missionaries are there to help and support the lead student and answer questions.   two funny experiences this week: I was able to help a group that needed to see their presentation. As I was sharing my screen, I tried to go to the next slide. Instead of going to the next slide, it went to the next picture. This unfortunately was a picture of me after a haircut with my shirt off. “That’s not the right picture” I said as I quickly stopped sharing my screen. It was embarrassing but so funny. The students could not stop laughing. I served at a charter school with 1st graders. I was waiting in the office and a kid came in saying that he threw up on the bathroom floor and couldn’t make it to the toilet. Then three kids came in and told on someone who had a knife in the bathroom. A little later in

This week was awesome. I learned so much and had so many new experiences. I had my first and second shifts in the temple. I worked in the office recording ordinances. It’s pretty cool to know how the ordinances are all recorded. They are always recorded on the day that they are performed. I sat in front of a computer and scanned each name card. This puts them in the system and makes sure every ordinance is accounted for. I love the temple. It is so beautiful and peaceful. I also learned there are paying jobs in the temple! I never knew they offer real jobs not just service opportunities. Pretty cool.  One thing I love about being a full-time missionary is having the opportunity to study the gospel every day. I finished the Book of Mormon on sunday! I loved reading it so much that I read it in less than a month. The book of Mormon is so special and we are so blessed to have it. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I had an awesome conversation about Faith with my grandpa.

This week we had a meeting with the temple recorders about working in the temple. There are not many opportunities for service missionaries to serve in the temple outside of the laundry. Everything like welcoming people in and scanning recommends at the front desk requires you to become an ordinance worker. Since I can’t distribute or fold clothing, they are going to have me work in the office for now. I want to become an ordinance worker so that I can have more service opportunities in the temple. After the meeting, my mom and I did an endowment session. I have now done it three times in three different temples. I love the temple and I can’t wait to spend more time in there. We drove down to Utah on Wednesday and spent the week there with the rest of my family. It is so awesome that I get to participate in my family traditions and be here for the holidays. I love being a service missionary. We had a very fun Thanksgiving dinner with my mom's family. There were 56 of us.  We also d

Sorry everyone! It has been forever since we posted on here. My mom always wanted me to write these blog posts. So I guess she is finally getting what she wanted. I love being a missionary. I was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. At my setting apart, the stake president asked me to call on someone to say a prayer to invite the spirit. I asked my sister Emma to say it because I knew she would do a good job of inviting the spirit. As she was praying, she started to cry. I started to cry, and I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone else in the room did the same. The spirit was so strong. The priesthood blessing I received was extremely powerful. I was promised so many amazing blessings. I was told that nothing was broken or altered in my accident. Father’s plan for me did not change. I was told that I lack for NOTHING. I will have as much of an impact as any other missionary. I was promised that I would have the oppo

Porter graduated from High School. This day seemed so far away, and now it came and went. Porter has had quite the high school experience. He hasn't had a single full year of school. Freshman year covid hit in March and they went virtual. Sophomore year he had his accident and didn't complete that year. Junior year was online while we lived in Utah and did therapy. Senior year the school caught on fire and burned a large portion of it and they went virtual again with 2 days at another High School. CRAZY! It's amazing to watch how resilient he has been and willing to make whatever situation he's in work. I'm so proud of him. He had to take 4 online courses, that were not easy, to make up for his Junior year while he was taking his classes for his Senior year. He graduated with Highest Honors. He's  so smart. His brain is going to take him somewhere amazing. I'm so grateful he loves to learn. I haven't written in quite some time. I found that the second ye