Japanese noodles and fancy poodles :) 1/19/10

Hi hi hi hi!
Sound's like it's raining everywhere! Mesa, Boston, and in SLC. I love it when it rains here because it clears out the sick foggy air and everything is crystal clear and beautiful! So training is going well so far! my companion is Sister Yoshie Watanabe from Miasaky South Japan. She is tooooo funny. She work's so hard and is trying so hard to learn English. She never ever complains and just follow's me running around everywhere. Whenever we are in a contact even though she doesn't really understand what's going on she just smiles and say's ya ya ya haha. I love it though! I'm sure her English will pick up after the next few transfer's.
So funny story.. We took 2 rm's through the family presentation and were visiting with them afterward's. I asked one of them how he liked it.. his response "I hated it, I really hate my family". I just stared in absoulute unbelief. He looked like a totally normal guy but he was dead serious. SO before drawing conclusion's I started questioning him and his answer's were all pretty lame. So after being kind and nice for a while I just looked at him straight on and said "Seriously you need to figure thing's out and change right now, because you are going to have a sad and long life ahead of you". He was totally negative about life and everything, said he hated his mission. I told him he could change and that was the whole purpose of the atonement. I told him he need's to love his family and he said it was impossible. ANYWAY- I gave him a good talking to. It was really cool though, I didn't feel like I was being rude at all, I simply was telling him exactly what the Lord needed to hear. His friend totally agreed with everything I said and thanked me for being the one to say it. haha
I did have very uplifting experiences this week as well, I just wanted to change thing's up a bit :) CHRISTLIKE ATTRIBUTES- Which one are you working on? I have been thinking a lot about meekness lately. The definition of meekness is, quiet and gently, unwilling to argue. A few day's ago some sister's in my apartment got into a silly confrontation, I sat listening and trying to figure out how I could fix the situation. Finally I explained to them what the solution was and told them that there must be a compromise. Another sister that was in the room thanked me the next day and said " I really appreciated your ability to correct the situation in meekness and love, it was exactly what they needed". I was grateful for her remark because it caused me to think. How meek am I? Am I putting aside myself and really asking as Christ would? In MORONI 8:26 we learn that only through meekness and lowliness of heart can we recieve the Holy Ghost, which then can teach us all thing's. Also in 1Peter 3:4 we are taught that the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, is a great price in the sight of God. I am learning that these attributes are not being used until we realize it is difficult to use them.. does that make sense? It is easy to have patience and charity when thing's are going well. We can only know our true nature of Charity at those time's when it is hardest to love. That's when our charity becomes real! Patience isn't expected of us only when it is convenient or easy. We have to learn to find joy in those time's when patience is the hardest! Hah I hope that this is making sense. Developing Christlike attributes is so crutial to our purification and becoming like the Savior. Those weird little thing's that people don't like about us can totally be gone through this process. I still have such a long way's so go, but I'm grateful for these learning experiences.
I thought of an analogy the other day that hasn't left my mind. I was studying about virtue and I thought of the First Lady. You think about the virtue she must have as she represent's our nation. She must alway's have the loving, kind, giving, compassionate attributes. Her manner in which she walk's, talk's, dresses, and everything must be perfect. She represent's one of the most powerful nations in the world! Ok so then I realized that my calling is even greater than her's. I don't represent a nation but I represent my Savior Jesus Christ. I must hold myself even at a higher level as I try to emulate the Savior. As member's of the church we should alway's realize who we are exemplifying. What an incredible opportunity for us to shine in a world that is getting darker!!! Wahhhh- be virtuous! Shine his image from every action and move you make! I know that it is not easy, but it wasn't supposed to be easy. THAT is why we try and try again.
I love you all and am grateful for your love, prayer's, and support! Everything at Temple Square is going well! It was wonderful to see our neighbor's the Smith's here on Sunday morning! How fun for me to take them and their group from MVT around Temple Square. Love it!!Have a wonderful week.. remember virtue and meekness :)Moroni 7:48- " when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is".
loves- Sister Carly Jo Porter

Changes - 1/12/10

Hi family, friends, everyone I love!

Life here on Temple Square is so wonderful! I had many many changes this last week with a new transfer, new assignment, new apartment, and of course my new sweet companion! You guessed it.... she is straight from Japan! She spent 10 weeks in the MTC learning English and then came straight to Temple Square. I can't decide if she is lucky or not to have me as her trainer... haha. So far we are having a ton of fun together though!

So training is an interesting experience. I have to be very cautious of my example I am setting because she follows everything I do. Training on TMSQ is difficult because there is so much to learn here. We must learn how to represent the church perfectly as we meet many many people here everyday from all over the world. Within a few short minutes we contact, get to know them, discern what the need by the spirit, and meet their needs! There are a lot of skills that we develop on how to teach people here.

So my challenge with my new companion is that she know's very very little English. She understands about 30% of what is going on when talking to people. I will look at her to say something and her face will just be blank. Our first day together we were in a meeting and someone asked her a question and she just started crying because she couldn't find any words to answer. I was so sad for her!!! SO we are having English lesson's 24/7 :) Who knew that my months spent in China teaching would come in handy on my mission! She is learning very quickly though. She is so determined and is constantly learning new words and trying new things.

On Sunday night I had a mini break down. I was feeling a lot of pressure and was just wondering if I was capable of teaching this sweet new sister. Training is a huge responsibility because it set's the tone for the new sister's whole mission. I just want to make sure I teach her well and help her to love her mission! The English barrier has made it very difficult for us to communicate at times. That evening as I prayed I just prayed that Heavenly Father would give to me the strength, love, power, and compassion that I need to accomplish this calling. At this moment I felt such a complete need for my Savior like I never have before. I knew that without him, it would not be possible for me to accomplish what I wanted. I just prayed and prayed that my faith could be strong enough to carry on and be the example I needed to be!!

Well the next day I had some wonderful experiences. Yesterday morning I was studying in Moses 6 about Enoch. When the Lord called Enoch to teach the people and command them to repent Enoch doubted and asked the Lord why he had been chosen. The Lord responded and told him to GO and DO the things he has commanded him! The Lord promised that he would be with him, that he was chosen, and that his mouth would be filled. I know that I am a weak servant of the Lord, but like Enoch i received strength from the Lord that I can do the thing's he has commanded me to do. If I have fear, doubt, or concern, I would not be able to accomplish these things! Yesterday evening we went up to the Christus and began talking with a woman who was sitting and pondering there. I started talking and getting to know her and was having a good conversation. She drives trucks for a living and comes to TMSQ every monday because that is her day off. It is a place that she comes to find peace and refuge. I had the sudden thought to look at my companion so she could talk so I looked at her and the words just spilled out of her mouth. It was the cutest thing ever, AND she had a scripture in mind that she shared with the woman. This same situation happened a few more times yesterday when the spirit prompted me to look at my companion so she could speak, and she was alway's ready with something to say! Miracle!!

My companion is amazing! She is so humble, patient, and loving. Everytime we pray together she alway's say's, "I grateful for my companion Sister Porter, please bless her always". Even though we don't alway's understand each other, we truly do love each other and support each other as missionaries called of God.

I will continue to forget about myself and give everything to her as I try to make her first transfer the best!I love the Lord and that he is kind enough to bless us with tender mercies each day! Remember that FAITH is the opposite of FEAR. When we fear it lower's our abililty to be an instrument in the Lord's hands.

Have a wonderful week!

With Love always- Sister Porter

A little more! Jan. 4, 2010

So I forgot to tell you that we had a talent show on New Year's day! it was so fun and all of the sister's that performed did GREAT! I got to play the piano, of course I played my short and fast Gershwin song and everyone loved it. I guess it was really funny because I just pranced up there and played it so fast then pranced off and they all thought it was just the funniest thing because I made it seem like NO big deal at all, which it wasn't, haha.

Also one quick experience. Yesterday evening we took a father and daughter around and also his sister. We loved visiting with them and sharing with them so much about the Gospel. He especially LOVED hearing about the Book of Mormon and thought it was so amazing. Then when we took them outside and taught about the Temple they all just were so amazed and completely agreed with everything. The daughter is a college student and she loved the Temple and hearing that her family could be together forever, she just said that it makes so much sense. At the end of our time with them ALL 3 referred to learn more once they get back home, they all live in difference states. This is a pretty simple example but it is so so so amazing how the Lord send's people here who are prepared to learn more about the Gospel.

We have 8 Japanese sister's coming here on Wednesday, 2 from India, 1 from Pakistan, 1 from China, 3 from Spain, and about 10 from other countries. The Lord must be preparing people in those countries to come to Temple Square sometime soon. So wonderful! I LOVE this work! Today has been crazy trying to get everything moved. We were in the middle of moving when my companion got a page for a VIP Korean tour. We had to run to the Square to take this tour and there were 2 Ambassador's that came from North Korea. It was amazing! They both loved the tour... NORTH KOREA!! So... it was pretty sweet.

Love you all! Happy 2010!

-Sister CJ Porter

scripture of the week Mormon 9:15-20 - God of Miracles

Transfer day and fun changes!!! - Jan. 2010

Oh I am freaking out right now! So we had TRANSFERS this morning. Such an exciting morning and all of the sister's are so funny all freaking out when they find out their new assignments and new companions. Some sister's crying and screaming... haha soooooo funny. Sister Kim is going outbound to the Las Vegas, Nevada mission! She is very excited! There are 20 sister's leaving. The biggest news though is that I'M TRAINING! hahaah ya! We are getting new sister's straight from the MTC and I get to train one of them. woo hoo! Sister Katterfeld is training to, so we were freaking out together. It's only my 3rd transfer.... pa haha. I am so excited though to get a new sister. There is one coming from mainland China and a few from Japan... so who knows?

Everything else is going great! I don't have too much time to email because I have to go home and move apartments again back to the old building I was in first. I am so excited for this new transfer and new everything. I am in North Zone now so I get to spend a lot of time in that area which will be great. OH my p-day is now on Tuesday's, so next week I will be emailing on Tuesday, K?It sounds like New Year's was so fun! I am glad that everyone came over and had fun together. Of course you made waffles and had a party... of course.

Oh I miss you guys and home and everything! But, I'm not homesick at all, my mission is so much fun! Oh mom I didn't get the other package yet, probably today I will. But I did get the poster and it is beautiful! It is amazing and it made me cry when I opened it. What a beautiful amazing wonderful family we have! We are so blessed in so many wonderful ways thanks mom dad and tara for the emails! So uplifting and wonderful to hear about the news from home. Tara and Catie on a double date! Whew! that would be a riot... wow I can't believe Catie is dating. Thank you Catie for the letter, I LOVED it so much! You are beautiful and wonderful. Tara I love that you and Zach are dating.. so great so great so great.

John and Brandon Hopkins came to the square yesterday. It was so good to see them, haha I was just laughing when I saw them. they had been looking everywhere for me. John was so funny telling me how I just had the "missionary glow" it was fun to see them!

Sorry this letter is so random, I am just trying to hurry and remember what else I need to say because we have to go. Oh Sister Kim is great mom. We really do LOVe each other so much. I have been very very blessed to have her as my companion, I learned so much from her. OH and my headaches are not too bad. I get them once in a while for a day or 2. I am going to buy more herbs at whole foods today so hopefully they will go away soon.

Love you guys so much!

Thank you in advance for the package and letter, you are the best in the whole world! Tell Rob hi for me and everyone else. I don't have time to write another email for everyone so maybe you can put part of this on the blog? Anyway, have fun in Disneyland. Ride space mountain like 6 times for me.

Loves - Sis. Porter

Jelly beans and Advil

Story time.

Yesterday I had advil liquid pills in one of my pockets because I had been getting headaches so they were there ready for me to take. I had jelly beans in my other pocket... just because. So I'm walking to the Square in the evening and I popped a few jelly beans in my mouth and bit down and POP ... BURST sick acid yucky into my mouth. I just started screaming and freaking out trying to get it out of my mouth. My mouth went numb and my eyes all watery. Sickest thing of my life. Seriously.. don't mix jelly beans and advil.

This last week was wonderful! On Christmas Eve we were able to have a big dinner and then do some service for the Humanitarian center and just enjoy our time together. The mission prepared wonderful gifts for each of the sisters which included really nice books about Temple Squaure and the Tabernacle. That was a pretty big deal to us since our missionary library is so limited.

Christmas day was wonderful! We didn't have to be to the square until noon so I was able to call my family in the morning and visit with all of them. I was very proud of myself for not getting emotional until the very end:) (shee forgot she actually started crying right at first - hahaha) It was so good to talk to everyone and let them know on the phone how much I am learning and growing on my mission! At night we had a wonderful Christmas program and all of the sister's participated. I was the pianist so I had fun arrangeing Christmas Carols and making them sound pretty :) Everyone had a great time, it was a wonderful Christmas! Probably my best so far!

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to a family ward nearby. We got there and it turned out that WE were the program for Sacrament meeting! We hadn't planned anything. So the 6 of us each spoke for about 5 minutes about Joseph Smith and missionary work and it turned out to be amazing! The spirit was so strong and we loved sharing out testimonies with them! The ward was very grateful for the time we spent there. It was wonderful!

Everything is going well! Next monday is transfer day so I will find out who my new companion will be and a lot of changes will be happening... very exciting. This mission is always changing.We just came from doing a session in the temple and it was so uplifting. I encourage you all to go to the Temple whenever possible! Don't keep putting it off. It is the house of the Lord and we are so blessed to have the opportunity to go! I know that the Lord could not be happier with us when we give just a small part of our time to him and do service for those who can't do it for themselves! I always feel the presence of those people there with me in the temple... it's magnificent.

love you all- HAPPY NEW YEAR

loves- Sister Carly Jo Porter