Elder Porter Ellis

Posts

Week 104- My last email

March 09, 2026

Aloha 皆さん、 I spent about a week deciding what to name the last email or what to write about but I settled. Honestly I couldn't ever put my entire mission experience and explain everything I feel into just one last email so I won't. I just wanted to say that I am so glad that I decided to go on a mission, and I'm satisfied with how my mission turned out. I wouldn't change a thing, the good and the bad because it made me who I am today. I testify that our loving Heavenly Father has a plan for each and every single one of us and his son Jesus Christ suffered for us so that we can repent of our sins and strive to be better people. Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father loves me and he loves each and every single one of you. The book of Mormon is true, if you study it, you will come closer to Jesus Christ. Along with the Bible are the true words of God, Jesus Christ and the prophets. I spent two years testifying of these facts, and I know they are true. I hope you can lear...

Week 99- Chances, not a countdown

February 09, 2026

Aloha 皆さん、 There's probably gonna be a theme with my last few emails but I've always treated my emails as more of a journal or a place to write my thoughts down anyways so, sorry not sorry. I think maybe 6 months ago (dang already?) at an MLC President Boss handed us a piece of paper with a bunch of circles on it. Each circle on the paper represented a week of time in our mission. And for each week we completed we were to color in a circle. I remember him saying “This paper is NOT intended to make you trunky, but a chance for you to realize these remaining circles are CHANCES. Each circle is a chance to become a better missionary, a better disciple and to help others do the same.” I remember at the time all of my friends and people who I started the mission with back in 2023 were leaving either that transfer or the next. At the time I tried to take his words seriously but in my mind it still looked like a countdown to the finish line to me. Fast forward to last transfe...

Week 98- Endure to the end

February 02, 2026

Aloha 皆さん、 Dang bruh last transfer. I have some mixed feelings about it. I want to be home with the family doing all sorts of stuff but I really don't wanna leave. It's a super weird feeling leaving me pretty moody recently but aye we thug it out. We had transfers and I got a new companion. I'm still in Miyako which I'm pretty stoked about. Overall the transfer is looking to be a good one, moody or not the work gotta progress. I've been reading in 3rd Nephi recently and reading about the Gadianton robbers, Nephites and Laminates war. The robbers are laying siege on the Nephites and Laminites and the people want to go and attack the robbers to end the trial quickly. 3 Nephi 3:20 20 Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: Pray unto the Lord, and let us go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may fall upon the robbers and destroy them in their own lands. I feel like I can relate to this sometimes. Obviously I'm not laying siege anywhere in Miyak...

Week 96- "Who's packing?"

January 19, 2026

Aloha 皆さん、 The parents haven't been pleased with me and my emails so. Imma keep this one short though. The highlight of the past few weeks was the mission president and his wife visiting the island and the branch for a weekend. We also spent p-day with them (which included a suprise apartment inspection). Was pretty cool (until the apartment inspection), the mission president's wife walked in and saw two of my suitcases on the ground open and half packed and asked "who's packing?" I was just like: "uh me"🧍‍♂️ "Why?" "🧍‍♂️" Yeah she did not like that one.🥀 Anyways here's a scripture I came across recently while studying the BoM. 3rd Nephi 18:32 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of br...

Week 93- The land of conducting and 20+ minute talks

December 29, 2025

Aloha 皆さん、 Brahhhhh this week was stressful. One of the various responsibilities I received as first counselor is to conduct sacrament meetings. Which is something I never thought I'd have to do, much less in Japanese. It would have been fine but I also had the “opportunity” to give a talk. I usually don't mind giving talks but since I'm on the branch presidency I get the lovely “opportunity” to be the last speaker. And in Miyako there's only 2 speakers. And the sacrament portion only takes 15 minutes. Which leaves 45 minutes for talks and closing hymns. So I got to fill up the remaining time. But regardless, everytime I get the opportunity to give a talk it gives me some actual time where I have to sit down and reflect on the topic I'm talking about. As I reflected, one of the things I thought about was trusting In God's timing and the love of Jesus Christ. In a lot of points in my life and my time as a missionary my lack of trust in God's timing and ove...

Week 92- Back on island time

December 22, 2025

Aloha 皆さん、 So we just had transfers this past Thursday. I moved away from Kumamoto all the way to Miyako Island! As much of a pain being Zone Leader was, I really did love both of my ZL areas so so much. Honestly I could've finished off my mission in Kumamoto and stayed for 5 transfers and I would've been so happy. It was especially hard to say goodbye to all the college students and my 愛する companion. I'm super stoked about Miyakojima though! It's a part of the Okinawa zone but realistically we are just on our own out here. The nearest pair of young missionaries are about 100 miles away on another island and both of the islands are closer to Taiwan than to Okinawa. Other than the beach there's not much here and my companion is Japanese so I won't be speaking much English at all. I also became the first counselor and clerk for the branch😅, my companion is the second counsler and the senior missionary Oba 長老 is the branch president. It's pretty interesting...