February 16, 2015

Hey Everyone,

Things are going good. I’m loving this place still and working hard. We were out walking in -50 farenheight the other day and I was sick, so that just made me sicker. We were walking by our investigators place and I was just like Elder Sorenson, I cant breathe this air anymore. I’m sick and I think I’m going to get pneumonia, so we went in and just made a bunch of food and a bunch of our other friends were there and we had a lesson out of the addiction recovery book that we’ve been working with. One of my bros here used to drink every day and couldn’t quit for even 12 hours. Now he’s been sober for 5 weeks and is doing awesome. The assistants were with me this last week for the day and we were visiting him and I went upstairs and he just told them that I can’t leave yet because I’m the one that helped him change his life and he doesn’t want to go back to that life again, but isn’t strong enough to do it on his own. It meant a lot to me. 

Thats what I’ve been teaching a lot lately, is the churches addiction recovery program. I took the training for it so I can teach it pretty well. I love teaching it. Sometimes it’s sad because you just make people feel really bad for the things they have done, and right as they feel like crap you give them the hope that the gospel brings. So I feel like I bring them even lower before I lift them back up. It’s a different kind of teaching, but I love it. I love helping people change, and I want to continue helping these people, I hope I can come back here after the mission. 

Sorry I haven’t written in a bit guys. I’ve been going through a bit of a rough spot. I carry a lot of other peoples burdens in the area I am in right now. Living on the reservation and dealing with the 3rd world craziness that goes on is a whole new experience. I’ve seen a lot of things here that shouldn’t be seen sometimes. It’s a crazy life but I guess thats why I’m the one here to do it. Some times I just get worn out. Seeing a lot of sad things or the results of peoples bad decisions. The violence or the crime, substance abuse or abuse in general. This will definitely help out with my future career as a police officer. I love these people so much. I really click with the aboriginal people and I know this is where I’m supposed to be. 

I’ve got 6 months left and I’ll be back on September 4th. Time sure is flying by. I cant believe it. I love you all.

Elder Porter