"I will be back"

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 November 13, 2023

I'm back! No clue how long it's been since I last wrote an email so it's time to drop the biggest and most vague update on all that I've been doing in Ashland.

I just hit 6 months here, I know the wards very well and luckily they are both super awesome. Ashland has some cracked members who are always down to help teach and refer a friend to teach. They all are very knowledgeable in the gospel and I find myself learning more from them than I teach. The YSA is one of my favorites. There are so many goofy goobers here, a lot of returned missionaries that really want to help us out, and they are some of the most inspired people ever. Who knew a bunch of 18-30 year olds could know so much. 

During my time here we have been working really hard on getting people from the region to come to church with us and join in on some of the activities. We've actually been having a bit of success with that. We've been meeting with a lot of those that aren't coming and somehow the most random conversations pop up. It's been a lot of fun.

Lately in the mission we've been working on goal setting and following through with those goals. I've learned a lot about what it actually means to set a goal and make a plan to reach it. I'm definitely not perfect by any means, but I'm actually getting stuff done now haha.

My companion is super awesome, he's from north Carolina (no accent sadly). He is very funny and we often have ninja battles and odd "what would you do" scenarios that often have Godzilla involved. He is so cool. This is his first transfer as a Zone leader so he's still learning the ropes, but he's got it. 

One of our roommates has been playing a lot of Pokemon (the card game not video game) and I'm sadly a little addicted now. I have tried to get him hooked on magic the gathering to no avail. He is super awesome though, he is finishing up his training this transfer and he is a cracked missionary. He is so diligent, and he wants to work hard and make a difference in people's lives. He is miles above where I was when I came in.

Anyway, if you got any questions about the Life of Elder Porter feel free to shoot me an email. No promises that you will get very many interesting stories, but I could probably dig one up.

I love all of you, you are awesome. Please pray for the area that we can find some people to learn about Jesus Christ, if anyone needs it this town does. I've been learning a ton here and I can promise that God loves you so much more than I do. Turn to Him when you need comfort, turn to Him when you need direction, and turn to Him if you need to see the light in a rough situation. The mission definitely has its highs and lows, it's definitely been a lot of lows here in Ashland but there is no greater joy that can come when you are focusing on the Savior.

Let me know if you ever need a little pick me up and I can shoot you some cool videos or scriptures 😉










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