Bababa ka ba?

Hey Family!!

So I skyped with you two days ago for the last time...so weird...and we aren't going to talk about that anymore because it freaks me out how fast time is going, however, it was so great to talk with you even if all I could see was shapes and it sounded like you were underwater :) The beauty of skyping in computer shops in the Philippines.

Such a great week. This transfer Sister Loo and I are just really trying to increase our vision/expectations and see what more is possible. This was our first week and it has been such a great experience. We have referrals coming in from about every direction (missionary contact and members) and different members working with us nearly every hour this up coming week. The Pagunsan family is confused now when we try to teach them without a member because we have always had someone with us :) They are so excited for their baptism the first week of June and we finally have their four boys sitting in on the lessons.

Sundays have become my favorite days here in Pangarap because the miracles just seem to come one after another. My favorite this week was most definitely Tatay Panganiban. He is an older man who had a stoke this past December and one half of his body is still for the most part paralyzed. He has been taught by missionaries for years because his wife is a less-active sister and his married daughter is active. However, he never felt ready or worthy to act on anything as well as let go of his addictions. But a lot has changed with the stoke. Sister Loo was able to teach him once on exchanges and then this past week we felt like we should stop-by. As we prepared during companionship study we felt like we should share a lesson on gratitude and commit them to start a gratitude journal as a couple. We didn't mention anything about attending church or even count Tatay as an investigator because he thought it wasn't a possibility with his disabilities. We were wrong... Half-way through sacrament meeting I looked out the door and saw Tatay slowing making his way in with the help of a cane and his wife as well as active daughter. He stayed for all three meeting and couldn't stop smiling. He is an incredible man and I am excited to see what happens next. His daughter just kept saying that this was the first time he has ever been to church before or after the stoke and couldn't stop smiling. She kept saying, "He is going to get baptized." We hope so too :)

During the Sacrament hymn this Sunday was "As Now We Take the Sacrament" and a few lines really hit me and can most adequately describe how I fell now and about my time as the Savior's representative. "Our thoughts are tuned to thee, thou Son of God, who lived for us, then died on Calvary. We contemplate thy lasting grace, Thy boundless charity; to us the gift of life was giv'n for all eternity. As now our minds review the past, We know we must repent; The way to thee is righteousness-- The way thy life was spent. With hands now pledged to do thy work...The blessings of this day will linger in our thankful hearts, and silently we pray for courage to accept thy will, to listen and obey. We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full. We'll walk they chosen way."

I love each of you and most of all the Lord and pray that each of us will continue to walk His "chosen way" for that is where we find true and lasting happiness.

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

The people here live a very,very simple life. They don't have much (as in hardly anything) but what they do have they take VERY good care of. There is one man we run past every morning on our jog who is always washing his van. It doesn't have a single spot on it. Last month Sister Loo's mom sent her candles for her birthday and we have been using them for birthday's of people we teach. This past week was on of our less-active, Julie's, 17th birthday day. We went over to teach and brought the candles along but forgot to buy a little treat to stick them in. They had prepared us spagetti (a birthday tradition here) and so we asked to close her eyes and give us her bowl of spagetti. She was so confused but we just kept telling her not to open her eyes. When her sister-in-law (our investigator) saw us pull out candles she ran and got a lighter then we stuck the candles in the bowl of spagetti and started singing. When Julie saw broke into the biggest smile and just started crying and laughing. It was such a special moment. It was a bunch of cheap candles melting and tipping over in her spegetti bowl and she couldn't have been happier. After she gather all the candles carefully in her hand, cleaned them and just held on to them. She said she had never had candles on her birthday, never gotten to blow them out and never gotten to make a wish AND they were her favorite color. Don't forget to appreciate the simple things because a lot of people are going without even the simplest of things :)

The chubbiest and cutest little boy in the Philippines.

Our room flooded in a rainstorm and got soaked our desks...which have everything important in them :) On the plus side this is the nicest apartment by far that I have lived in my entire mission.

View out the window as we study...we live in Paradise.

So blessed.

Pamilya ko, kumusta na kayo?!

MALIGAYANG MAHAL NA ARAW! [Happy Easter!]

First of all, it is most definitely summer now and we are MELTING. I forgot how unbelievably hot it gets here. Like I want to die but good thing it was SUCH A GOOD WEEK! (Is it ever not?) I feel like I say this every time but I have to say it again, we saw so many miracles this week. I love this area, I love Sister Loo and I love my calling. 

This week we did exchanges with the sisters in Deparo. This was great because one I got to see Sister Sia (my trainee) and do exchanges with Sister Pau (her trainee). It was so much to tease her and make her feel awkward while I watched her be a trainer. I love her so much and I'm so proud of all she is doing! It was also great because I got to go back to my first area...it was one of the best/weirdest experiences. It was so weird to walk the same streets and talk to the same people a year later. So much has changed, I have changed. I'm so grateful for it all!! I love my mission more than anything. I also got to see the most important person to me in the whole Philippines, Sister Maricel. I don't know if you remember her but she is a 34-year-old women that is maybe 4'11", if that,who was less-active and we were the first missionaries to find her again. So is doing SO GOOD. She is preparing for the temple and going strong and she just means the world to me. As I walked up to their little cement house my heart was just pounding. The kids outside saw me and started yelling, "Sister Porter is here! Sister Porter is here!" I could just see the top of her head through the window as she came running. At that point I just booked it to her. The moment she came out we screamed, hugged and both started bawling and saying how much we missed each other. Ah that women is so incredible. I will never forget that moment. I just hope she makes it to the temple before I leave the Philippines. I want to be there so bad! She texted later that night and said, "All of my problems are still here but I don't feel them anymore after seeing Sister Porter." As we were teaching she bore testimony to her still less-active family about the difference now in her life. She said that her life changed on April 28, 2013 the first day we came. I am so grateful for God's perfect plan and how exciting it is to see how all our lives intertwine. Who knew I would fall so in love with this special women and so many others in the Philippines....but I am eternally grateful He gave me the chance.

Easter Sunday was so incredible. First of all a less-active sister name Shirley was there with her 11-year-old son with disabilities who for the past month hasn't been able to walk, talk, sit or hardly even eat. We have all been praying for a miracle and it happened. His disabilities are still there but he is walking and beginning to talk again. So blessed. Sister Loo and I had the opportunity to speak about the Savior and Easter. We were seated on the stand a few minutes before the meeting started when I saw a family walk in the door. I absolutely freaked out and just grabbed Sister Loo and ran off the stand haha so was so confused. It was the Pangusan family, the last people in the world we expected to show up. They have been taught for years by missionaries without ever attending church or making any progress. We were re-introduced to them by a member, taught them two lessons and there they were! We grabbed Bishop and the whole ward just got excited about them. It was so great. In our gospel principles class with them, the members were fighting over who would come to their next lesson with us. It was so great. So blessed. 

On a funny note, later that day, on Sunday, we tracted into a family and their neighbors. As we were getting to know them I guess I zoned out for a minute. I had asked one of the men if he had a wife and was prepared to ask how many kids he had when he said yes...well that is what I though happened but when he looked all confused and said one and I looked to my side and saw Sister Loo with a terrified look on her face I knew I said something wrong...then suddenly I realized my mistake. I skipped a question and went from asking if he had a wife straight to 'how many?'. As if we don't already have a hard time helping people get over polygamy and then I asked that hahaha it was actually really funny and we all had a good laugh but it was super embarrassing. We are going back to teach them this week though :) 

I am just so overwhelmed this week by the message of joy and happiness we carry and sometimes we don't ever realize it or too easily forget it. Especially this Easter, and always, I want to do better to remember my Savior-- His sacrifice, His love, His life and His resurrection. We all have the opportunity to live again as families in eternal happiness...doesn't that just make every trial, temptation and doubt seem smaller? I am so grateful for the opportunity to wear His name!

I love you all so much. Mahal na mahal ko kayo at namimiss ko kayo. Mag-ingat kayo palagi. Sundin nyo ang halimbawa ni Jesucristo at tandahan nyo yung ginawa niya para sa inyo. Dahil diyan may pagasa at kagalakan tayo. Alam ko na lahat ay posible sa pamamagitan Niya kahit anomang bagay.

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

This week was Holy Week which is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. They were so little cars on the road and lots of people walking. We saw people to pilgrimages with meat for I think burnt sacrifices. I also heard that a lot of people here will injure themselves for a remission of their sins and in remembrance of His sacrifice, but I didn't see it. So different. Just keeps reminding me I'm in a foreign country but at this point it feels more like home than America :)

Makikita mo ang mga pagpapala...

This week was insane. We were SO BUSY but it was also one of the greatest weeks. We had exchanges, meetings, temple day and general conference so we didn't have a lot of time in our own area which is always tough. However, we definitely still saw a lot of miracles and learned so much.

This week we went to Camarin Zone and did exchanges with the incredible sisters there. The first day I was with Sister Apolinario. Not going to lie, I was way nervous to go out with her. We are batch which is intimidating and she just has a way intense personality I guess but we had an absolute BLAST. We were laughing so hard and I learn a ton from her. The next day I worked with Sister Jenkins (we were together in Valenzuela when she was in her training). It was fun to see how much she has grown and learn from her as well. That day was probably my favorite on exchanges so far. I just had the goal to give it everything I had and just focus on her. It was amazing. We saw so many miracles. My favorite was our first lesson. Sister Jenkins felt like we should stop by to say hi to a less-active sister so I followed her lead. When we got there it didn't seem like anyone was home so we yelled "Tao po." a few more times and as we were about to leave the sister finally came out. She invited us in so we decided to just try and teach. I heard her talking to someone in the back room and then a girl about my age came rushing out but wouldn't really make eye contact with us. We of course invited her to the lesson and began trying to get to know her. She was really quiet and shy-- just keep looking down at her lap while her aunt (the less-active sister) answered all our questions. We found out that Krisa had been abandoned by her mom when she was ten and was currently living with and working for her aunt far from her home in Bicol. As we started the lesson we were sharing about Christ and how through Him we can overcome concerns and trials. Suddenly Krisa looked up and just started talking. It was incredible. She explained that before she had never thought there could be a Jesus because life was too hard. She said that one day she asked her aunt what she should do about it and her aunt told her to come to church with her. So she did. She said that the moment she walked into one of our churches she knew there was a Christ. It was one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had. She said that she went for the next 3 weeks and asked the missionaries to come visit her. She said that everyday she waited for the missionaries to come but they never did until we showed up. She said that when her aunt came in to the back room and said said the missionaries are here she was too excited to even comb her hair and just came running out. I am in love with this 19-year old sister. Sister Jenkins extended her a baptismal date which she readily excepted and said, "I'm ready to change." My testimony has grown even more that people everyday are prepared and waiting. It reminds me of conference when President Eyring said, "You hold in your hands the happiness of more people than you can possibly imagine." I pray that we can all continue to be worthy and prepared instruments in the Lord's hands. I know that miracles are happening and even more are waiting just around the corner. This work is exciting and inspiring and we are all a part of it! 

I had so much more to say about confernece but time is short and my email is already long...but wasn't it amazing?! 

I love you all!!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

I was so excited to hear Elder Teh's talk because he just got released from the area presidency here. It was fun to see everyone in the meeting sit up a little taller when he came on the screen haha. Everything he described about the Filipino people is perfect. I especially loved when he said they have "an abundance of spiritual strength and lack of materiel things." The people here inspire me. They live in the most difficult circumstance. I cannot believe or adequately describe some of the places I have taught in that that those individuals call home. We are so blessed for all that we have been given and I hope to never lose that perspective. 

 Zone Conference

Sister Sia (my trainee) with her trainee (Sister Pau)!!

Loving life

 Exchanges with Sister Apolinario and Sister Jenkins

Isang taon na...parang ayaw ko sabihin 'yon.

Transfers again...mabalis naman yung panahon. I seriously can't keep up with the time. I hit one year this week. It was bitter sweet. It was incredible to read my journal from my first few days in the MTC...I have changed and experienced so much since then, most especially these last two transfers. 

Its not possible to put into words my feelings about the past 12 weeks I have had with this incredible sister. It has been the hardest, most rewarding and changing experience of my life. I am so grateful for the ways the Lord has changed me and the love and appreciation I have gained for Sister Ayub. I can honestly say I have witnessed miracles with her. She has changed and grown so much. In fact on the way to the computer shop she talked a women on the jeepney, introduced a pamphlet and who we are, then asked for her information ALL BY HERSELF...that never would have or could have happened two transfers ago. She is an incredible sister and I am excited for what is ahead of her in her mission and beyond. 

We had a great week as far as work goes. We were so punted the beginning of this week by members and those we teach, but by Friday we were seeing so many miracles. My favorite miracle this week would be Sister Analiza. We have been working with Sister Barredo, an active member, for so long with the Work of Salvation and we finally saw the fruits of it. Sister Analiza came to church with Sister Berredo and then we were able to share a very special lesson with her that Sister Berrado played huge part in. I have gained such a testimony of working through the members even though it may take more time and patience it is worth every time :)

I am just so grateful for the opportunity I've been given me to learn and grow here in Malolos with Sister Ayub. This has been a sacred experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I have come to know my Savior in a way I never could have before. I have felt strengthened and given capacities far beyond my own through Him. My prayers to my Father in Heaven have transformed and I have seen and felt answers to those prayers daily. I have gained a love, appreciation and hunger for the scriptures. I just can't put into words how grateful I am for this time or what my experience has been but I have been changed. I am just so full of gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who know us so perfectly and for a Savior who makes it possible for us to overcome our shortcoming, weakness and trials and I am even more overwhelmed with joy that I get to share that message daily for the next 6 more months and the rest of my life.

I love you all!!!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

Just like anywhere it is of course polite to take off your shoes when entering a home but here everyone wears flip-flops when inside. One, because the floor in their home is dirt or dusty cement and two because they believe that you will get sick if your feet get cold after being in the heat outside. So it is always so funny when they freak and realize I have taken my shoes off to come into their home and then try to give me flip-flops or sandals to wear while we teach...its funny because the people here are tiny and I am NOT so I always have to try and shove my feet into the sandals or awkwardly just rest my feet on top of them :) 

One-Year-Celebration/Birthday Party the other sisters had for Sister Ayub and I :)

Sister Joyce got her mission call!!! I am so excited for her. She works with us every week and has become one of my best friends. She will do amazing things.

Our Zone got to go back to WaWa. It is so breathtakingly beautiful there. I love this country!

Changes and answered prayers.

Hey Family,

Where to start...I don't even know...so many changes and so many surprises. 

This past week was Zone Interviews. This is something I have been looking forward to since last transfer. I love every opportunity to interact and learn from President Sperry and I was especially looking forward to his council with all the adventures of these past two transfers. It was a really incredible experience and a lot of what we discussed was of course personal but a few things he said I wanted to share. I told him how grateful I am for the time he has given me here with Sister Ayub. I explained that it has changed my life and he said, "And you have changed hers." I am so grateful for the time we have had to learn, grow and change together. He said, "You've helped Sister Ayub more in two transfers than has happened her entire mission." I think the same could be said of what she has done for me. The last thing he said and repeated several times was, "I don't think you realize how good you are." Isn't that so true of all of us! Why do we always underestimate ourselves and our capabilities? It's something I have worked on a lot in the mission with the help of the Lord. I am learning to see my weaknesses and opportunities to grow while also recognizing the strengths and talents the Lord has given me. I don't think He likes it when we are constantly beating ourselves up and I know I sure don't enjoy it either. 

Okay time for transfer announcements... I am leaving Malolos and Sister Ayub is staying. I am so sad to leave this area. So many good things are happening but it will be so good for Sister Ayub to stay here and have a chance to lead the area again.

My new companion will be Sister Loo...as in my companion from the MTC...I couldn't be more excited or grateful to a loving Heavenly Father. He is so good to all of us. Sister Loo and I have both been called as Sister Training Leaders. I am a bit overwhelmed by the calling but so excited to serve, love and support the sisters in the mission. 

Also, I found out that Sister Sia (my trianee) is training this transfer and its an Australian sister. I am so excited for her!! She is so ready :) 

I am just so humbled by all our Heavenly Father does for us. His plan is so perfect. I am just so grateful to Him and my Savior. We taught the plan of salvation a lot this week and I was just filled with awe at the knowledge we have. I can't believe I get to share that message and happiness that comes from His plan daily. Missions are just really the best thing in the world. I am so happy to be here and grateful for every minute I have been blessed with. Even after being here a year, sometimes I just walk down the street in amazement that I am in the Philippines. I never would have pictured it but now I can't imagine my life without this country, these people, my nametag and experiences as a missionary in it. I love you all and pray for you daily!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

Fun fact this week is the first picture I attached. I am going to let it speak for itself haha gives you a little bit of an idea what the bathroom situation is like here. The picture is hanging in the bathroom at the church here in Malolos.

Community Service Project

Amazing sisters from Relief Society after Ward Conference.

Fun Fact :)

Sister Evelyn...she is definitely the hardest person for me to leave here.

"...my soul filled with joy.."

'Musta na kayo?

Such a good week. Sister Ayub and I learned a lot and again saw so many miracles. This area is finally beginning to progress after hard work and prayers from missionaries and members. Sister Ayub did so good this week and is still working so hard. I am so proud of her and everything she is accomplishing. We continue to push each other and we're excited for what the rest of this transfer will bring.

I am so in awe with this ward. They are all so diligent in their callings and inspire me to do more as a missionary and give me an idea of who I want to be when I return. They know our investigators and less-actives and are intimately involved in their progression. I will forever be grateful for the time I've been given here. This week as we fasted to find those that would receive us we felt prompted to visit the home of some investigators who have gone through so many sets of missionaries without ever going to church or keeping commitments. From the moment we sat down we could tell things were different this time for two of the family's youngest teenage daughters, Marilen and Maribel. After a great discussion and lesson about the Atonement they both committed to attend church...and then they did! The ward was AMAZING at fellowshipping and they are attending the Stake Youth activity with the young women this Saturday. Now if we could just get the rest of the family to sit down, listen and be filled with the same desire... they have 13 brothers and sisters :)

These last few weeks I have just been filled with an absolute thirst for the scriptures that I have never experienced before. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the power that it holds in drawing us unto the Savior and truly changing lives. This week as I read about the sons of Mosiah and Alma I, of course, was so inspired by all they accomplished and their devotion to their calling. I can't say that my mission has gone the way I imagined it leaving my family a year ago but I can say that I share the feeling of Alma when he says, "I know that which the Lord hath commanded me...and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy...When I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer...then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me." [Alma 29:9-10] I know that God's plan is perfect and the experiences here have been better then I could have imaged because He knows each of His children so perfectly. Here I have found my greatest joy, working in His vineyard.

I love you all!!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Fact:

The people here yell, "Hey Joe!" at all the white people. I don't know where it came from but I'm going to guess World War II when all the American soldiers were here. 

Ikaw talaga.

Dear Family,

This week definitely started out a little rocky. We couldn't seem to get into houses that we are usually welcomed into with open arms. We were just feeling more than a bit unwanted ha but our Saturday made everything worth it. We saw so many miracles and answered prayers. We had two especially special lessons. 

Our first was teaching Sister Gaudaliza. She is living with her less-active aunt and we have been trying to teach her for weeks. She has NOT been interested, but we kept smiling talking to her and hoping she would let us teach her. On Saturday we decided to stop by one more time before a meeting. She told us her aunt wasn't home and we were prepared to tell us to just come back another day, but suddenly she opened the door and said come in. Ha it took us a minute to react because we were so surprised. She is so awesome and has totally changed. Before she was cold and evasive, this time she was all smiles, laughing and all around happy. As we began teaching we explained that we know how important this message is and that it will bless the lives of the people and families we teach and that we why we are willing to leave our own for 18 months. She began tearing up, rubbed her arms and said, "That makes me feel good." The lesson was great and we can't wait to go back. As we were leaving see said, "Wow, its surprising that it feels so good to be with you." [That was super awkward to translate but hopefully you understand.] 

Later that night we went back to teach Merilen Salamat, one of the two teenagers that came to church last week. This was one of my favorite lessons of my entire mission. I can't even explain to you the change we have seen in this sister. It is amazing. This night we decided to reteach her lesson one because it has been awhile since she was taught it. She was just loving it, all smiles and caught on every word. At the end we just began to talk a bit and she just suddenly spilled her heart to us. She said that the missionaries have been coming here for over a year and it never really meant anything to her. She didn't used to care if she missed the lessons and she just wanted to debate with them. She said now its all different. She said I get so excited when I know you are coming and I can't stay away from the lessons even if I wanted to. She said she will keep coming to church every Sunday. We explained that she needs to find the truth for her self and that the Book of Mormon and her prayers are the way to do that. She said she wants to and will and is just so excited about everything! We felt impressed to bring up a baptismal date again, something we had done in the past before we dropped them and she had argued and said she was already baptized at the Catholic church and happy where she was and so was her family. This time was different. She took it very seriously and said, "That is something that I am willing to do when I find the truth for myself. It is something I want to do for myself, not for you or my family." Ah she is seriously so amazing and I love her so much. We are just praying that her family will get on board. The problem is her parents live in a different area so we are trying to coordinate with the elders to begin teaching them.

This gospel really does change lives. It is the reason for living. I read a quote the other day from President Uchtdorf that reads, "In the end, happiness does not spring from perfection but from applying divine principles, even in small steps." It is so excited to know that as we do our best to be obedient each day and follow His plan for us we can change and grow. I am so grateful for the opportunity to overcome weaknesses and further develop strengths together with my companion. It is also equally exciting to help others do the same each day. I love you all! Have a great week!

Love always,

Sister Porter

Filipino Fun Facts:

Filipinos LOVE their game shows and apparently a new one came out called "You Are My Foriegnoy/nay". Its a show were foreigners who have been living here compete by speaking Tagalog and doing some sort of Filipino talent. Well I can't even tell you how many times a day I get yelled at, "Hey! You are my forienay" or get told that I should join it because most of the people can hardly speak Tagalog haha maybe after the mission :)

Also a fun fact, in the past few weeks I have eaten horse (that felt like eating my best friend) and chicken lungs and heart. Next on the menu according to the members here is dog. I'll let you know how it goes.