Well, I did have a lot to tell you guys but I have decided to pretty much tell you this.  In times that we are feeling overwhelmed, discomforted or confused, if we rely on the Savior we will always be delivered.  We don't always have to have a reason, most of the time I don’t even know what I’m stressed about, but one thing that I know is that Heavenly Father always helps us when we come to Him with a "broken heart and a contrite Spirit."  This week I was pretty stressed out wondering if I was doing all the things I needed to do and I was feeling extremely overwhelmed, so I went and prayed to Heavenly Father.  I didn’t receive an explanation of why everything was happening, why I was stressed out, I just felt the love of God surround me and my burdens lifted.  Sometimes God just wants us to feel His love because maybe we haven’t felt it in a while.  I have a firm belief that God just wants us to know how much He loves us, all it takes is a leap of faith, a prayer or maybe a time of repentance.  But, I do know that He loves all of us. He wants us to be happy in this life, not overwhelmed.  I guess my stress was from all of the mosquito bites I’ve gotten lately ha-ha.  But, I hope you all are having a great time.  A one sentence testimony is still a testimony! 

I know you guys think that a lot of the blessings you are receiving are because of my mission, but I want to tell you it takes two to tango! In other words, you guys are doing your part with God and He is giving you the blessings He has always wanted to give you.  I want you guys to recognize all the good you are doing and ask Heavenly Father, “what lack I yet?" it works, I have already tried it and have gotten an answer I wasn’t expecting.  I feel really blessed to know that there is a temple 5 minutes away from our house when I get home.  These people have to wait and wait and then go to Ukraine.  It’s very tough. I miss the temple a lot.  There is a peace that you can’t find in the outside world in there and the food is the best I’ve ever had.  I love my mission.  I’m not the best missionary but I know that I have changed because of it and I feel super blessed for that. We had a good end to the week which made all the difference.  Had a lot of less actives we visit come back after months of inactivity, because of a simple invitation and an "I miss you” they are important too. Love you! Have fun! Be happy! 

Well, let me just tell you that this week was just a treat.  We found
two super elect investigators and they have baptismal dates.  The live in the poorest
conditions I have ever seen but humble as can be.  General Conference
is probably my favorite times of year. We have the chance to listen to
living prophets and apostles.   I hope you all got something out of it
and have changed since! The great thing about this life is when you
want to change you will change and if you do not, you will slip.  I was
reminded this last week that everything in the gospel is simple and I
hope that you all realize that as well.  We take it step by step and
the Lord will lead the way! Put your trust and faith in Him and you
will be satisfied with the results,  it might take time, it is worth it!

Elder Porcelli

attached is a picture of a quilt a member made for the Mission President's wife.  

All of the Elders donated a tie to make the quilt.  

Andrew's is the red, white, and blue striped

So cool!!!

Sorry I don't have a lot to say, because there wasn't much that happened.  got sick a couple of times and did service a lot.  went up to Yerevan for a day and shopped at Vernisage.  Yerevan is a little too big and confusing.  we had to deal with a drunk guy bothering the sisters for a couple days, turns out he was one of our investigators, hes getting some time off because he doesn't want to do anything about his problems.  also had a couple teenagers try to get in a fight with us and we just stood there and starred them down and they left.  we still don't have any solid investigators yet and haven't figured out a ton yet.  Hopefully next week I will have more to talk about.

I got transferred down to a place called Artashat, which is right next
to Ararat.  its the southern most part you can serve in.  I wont see
snow this winter, it stays relatively warm down here but it will get
cold.  I am pretty close to Yerevan.  I am  with Elder Potter right now, I
served around him for 6 months so we know each other really well.  its
really interesting because we are pretty much white washing again.  he
served here for 3 weeks about a year ago and we are both coming from our
areas.  its been a fun week so far.  we've gotten to know a couple
members of the ward and this city is very small compared to other
places.  also I got my package a couple weeks ago, I don't know if I
told you.  thanks a ton! I have already eaten it all.  it was really good.
I don't have a ton to tell about. it was pretty hard to leave Gyumri,
we had some really awesome people up there.  I am sure that next week I
will have more to tell about! love you!

Elder Porcelli

Well this week was one of the best! We have zone meeting and I got to do a couple day split in Vanadzor to show some of my buddies around. I got to meet with lots of people that I absolutely love to death! It’s really important to keep in touch with them because they will remember the feelings they felt with you.  When I came back I and my bro talked.  The thing that is great about having mission companions is willing to cut someone down to build them back up. We are super great friends and I’m super grateful I got to serve with him! Transfers are this week and things point to change.  I am super going to miss him.  I’ve been blessed through my mission to have good companions and every transfer they get better.  I was reading in the scriptures today and I read  a verse in Alma that has made a great impact on me. Alma 4:19  19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.

All we can really do, not just as missionaries but as a church body, is just bear testimony.  Testimony is the quickest way to invite the Spirit and if the Spirit is there, the people will be able to choose clearly to reject or accept.  Also, beware pride.  President Benson mentioned that a couple times in his ministry.... sorry this isn’t super interesting but I love you all and hope you are all happy! Happiness exists!

Elder Porcelli

Armenia is Home

There’s not tons of news from here everything is going pretty well. Transfers are next week so that will be interesting! I am getting my package on Tuesday! Thanks for sending it! How’s everything going there with work? In already accepting Armenia as my home....... I also have decided that in going to wait until fall 2017 to start school, I don’t have time on my mission to worry about the future because God will help out! Also you seem to be dodging my questions or aren’t reading my emails (or both) but when we skype in December I would like for you to address whether you want to come to Armenia or not, just think about it. Don’t worry about it either. It’s a simple thing.  Also, I love you guys a lot! I honestly don’t know how to express in words how grateful I am for this! You are sacrificing a lot for MY wellbeing and I am super impressed and humbled because of that. Some people say, well you were raised in this gospel and you’ve lived it your whole life so of course you’re going to believe it.  I always think and tell them, you know that’s a good point, but, I felt something and I have  also had experiences throughout my life, prayers answered, direction given, seen the blessings IMMEDIATELY after trying, so at this point I can confidently say that this is the true church of Christ and I know of the truthfulness.  I don’t need to see God to KNOW that He is here, I can see the evidence right in front of my eyes. Pretty much want to say thank you! You helped save a soul.  And I say that because I will always be a part of this! SERVE A MISSION WITH DAD! I think it would be super cool! Love you! 

Well this week was really fun.
 We had zone conference and hiked up Aragats as a mission.  It is
funny how small of a mission we have because I know every one of them. It was
fun to hike in the snow! Super foggy and cold but super fun.  We focused
on pondering and how it is important to do it sincerely.  Pondering is one
of the keys to revelation in my opinion.  It has helped me out on my
mission a lot and I know that that is how people can become truly
converted.  This week was another really good week in terms of happiness.
 We did not have tons of meetings but the ones we had were really
good.  The people are starting to acknowledge that we are making a
difference in their lives.  One of the less active women that we often
visit told us this yesterday.  "Before you guys, the missionaries
would come and once they found out that my husband does not want me to come to
church, they would stop visiting, but you guys are different.  You keep on
coming back and you have completely changed my life" she was tearing up
and I could see the gratitude that she had for Heavenly Father for always being
there for her.  I know that we receive answers to prayers through others
and that we really do make a difference in other people'€™s lives and can, if we
have our lives in line with Heavenly Father's will.  No matter where you
are, be a disciple of Christ. We all are and that'€™s the covenant we make with
Him at baptism.  Be unified as well! There are a lot of things we need to
figure out on our own and that'€™s what makes this life great! Love you all
thanks for your love support!