Loved my Mission 2/28/11

Sister Porter arrives home this Wed. March 2nd!!

3:40 pm on Delta

We are having a party all evening for anyone that would like to come

by and see Carly and celebrate with us!!!

Thanks again to all who have prayed and supported and loved

Carly while she has served!

What an incredible 18 months it has been!!!

I am so happy right now and full of lots of wierd emotions. It is
really strange. Last night I began writing a list of things I have
learned on my mission and it just kept going and going and going. I
was going to share a few of them on this email but I couldn't choose!
I just had my departing interview with President Holmes. He is a man
of God and I am so grateful to have had the chance of serving with him
for this time, precious time.

I know that this is the greatest work on the earth. My life has been
completely changed because of it. I may not appear different to anyone
(because really I look exactly the same) but I feel like a new person,
totally different. I think the main thing that I want to continue is
consistancy in living the Gospel. When we become inconsistant is when
Satan is able to sneak in. It is hard to grasp the fact that I am
leaving on Wednesday. We had our last few hours on Temple Square this
morning and it didn't feel like it at all! I'm just so full of
gratitude for the all that I have learned. I cannot imagine what my
life would be like without this mission experience. What if I didn't
follow that small sudden prompting that one Sunday morning! Anyone
thinking about a mission whether male or female, young or old, should
go! It is something that you will never regret and it will change
countless lives. The Savior gave everything that we might live, it is
a small price to pay to serve as a full time missionary.

Thank you for your love and support during these last 18 months. I
have felt the prayers of many of my family and friends and will always
be grateful to the strength I received because of them. I want to
thank especially Mom and Dad. President asked me today, "What are you
going home to?" With tears in my eyes I replied, "The most loving
parents I could ever ask for". Thank you Mom and Dad, thank you thank
you thank you. I know that it has also been a great sacrifice for you
to allow me to serve. But I know that the blessings from the Lord will
continue to come as you continue serving him in all the ways that you
do! And there are many! Thank you Denver, Drew, Tara, Catie, and Haley
and Zach as well. I have missed you each more than you will ever know.
But I always prayed for you and thought of you often. Missing out on
Tara's wedding was difficult for both Tara and I (and for our entire
family). She is my best friend! But, I knew that doing the Lord's work
required my full heart and complete dedication. And because of it, I
feel that we were both blessed. Thank you also to Grandma's and
Grandpa's!! You have written me, prayed for me, and served with me! I
have missed you but am very grateful for your love and kind words of
advice... so amazing. And to all of my friends, I saw many of you at
Temple Square and have kept in touch through letters. I love you and
am also very grateful for your words of support and advice!

This church is true!

Just two of my favorite scriptures :)

"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he
loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may
draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall
not partake of his salvation." 2 Nephi 26:24

"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do
not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded
me; yea, 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." Alma 29:9

LOVE- Sister Carly Jo Porter