Elder Porter Ellis

Aloha Minasan! How's everyone doing?  I feel as though this has been the LONGEST week ever. So much has happened and it really has been such an interesting week. But one thing that has for sure stuck out throughout this week was patience. When I was getting set apart by President Chun to be a missionary my mother had asked him to pray for patience. Pray for patience so that I may have the patience to deal with whatever obstacles or trials that come my way throughout the mission. When she first said that I honestly thought nothing of it. In my personal opinion I am a decent person when it comes to patience. Oh how the MTC has humbled that patience I thought I had. Throughout the week my patience has been tested whether that be by the new missionaries playing rugby at 11pm in the dorms (this was a real test). Tested through food lines, and fasting. And even choices I may not fully understand.  As I reflected on what patience means and how to become a better, kinder person who is...

Aloha Minasan! Minasan Genki Desuka?! (Is everyone good?) The first week of MTC has been crazy and a lot of fun! So much has happened this past week and everything feels like a blur. But the highlights are 100% -Saying Goodbyes -KANOA AT THE MTC?!?!  -Hanging with the district ちょうろうs -Working out in the MTC -Japanese Word of the week + Story So of course I had to say goodbye to a lot of people which was super sad. After my farewell talk (you can listen to it below. don't mind the crying in the background) I had to say goodbye to a lot of family and friends as I flew off two days later. Then before entering the MTC some BYU friends came up to see me off as well. I was extremely sad but had to put on a good face so everyone would no cry and get all emotional.  Checking into the MTC hit like a train and it didn't stop, almost the second I got out of the car I saw one of my friends Kanoa walking over to greet me. It was honestly such a blessing to see him so soon and the...