Elder Logan Porter: Near death experiences and beautiful drives

Well Hello Everyone! This has been an eventful week here on the Big Island! Brief updates; the people are still amazing, the food is still never ending, the night skies are gorgeous, the ocean is still right there, it is still hot and humid, and the gospel is still true.

Let’s start out with my near death experience. Well, we were trying to help a member castrate this wild boar he has been keeping for a few months... and this is like a full grown wild boar. We walk up to the pen that he’s in and the door on it was swollen from the rain so it didn't open. We got a rope and roped this pig and pulled it into a corner... I wasn't sure what we were doing because this pigs head is shaped like a normal pig and the rope kept coming off... So we get it into the corner and the member says alright Elder Porter, I think you’re the only one that can fit through that gap to get in there. I was like ummm... so he hands me a rope and tells me to tie his legs. I jumped in the pen and once I got in there I recalled Old Yeller and how I remembered that the boars tore him up really good. So I had thoughts running through my head of this pig slipping the rope like he has been doing time and time again and then I’m in a 6X8 pen trapped with this wild boar. So that was terrifying and also the only thing that was keeping him in the corner was Elder Siaosi holding the rope! Needless to say, our relationship is good cuz if it wasn't, he could have ended me right there... and also I had lots of faith in his Samoan strength! I got in there and started to tie the legs and begin the castration then our member realized he brought the wrong knife and the knife he brought was dull. So dull that it wouldn't even cut the skin. So I thought I was going to die and it was all for nothing!! But he’s going to invite us back to help. So there will be a follow up story to come.

We needed our car fixed like forever now and our appointment finally came! We drove to Hilo which is on the west side of the island. It was so beautiful and totally different from Kona! Like I never would have thought that was on the same island! It was crazy and such a fun time! While we were there we walked from the dealership to the closest missionary pad. On our way we heard a honk and looked up and it was one of our members. He picked us up and knew right where the pad was! It was on the church property and the member was working on the church building! It was comforting knowing we weren't just wandering aimlessly trying to find this church! It was just neat to notice that blessing we got that day! The drive back was beautiful too! It was cool seeing all the waterfalls on the way back that I didn't notice on the way there (because I was looking at the other side of the road)!

Kamaua is one of the stud members we have been bringing out with us a lot to lessons. This week he heads to Utah and enters the MTC. He goes to the Micronesia, Guam Mission. We took him out with us for the last time on Sunday. I’m sure going to miss him, but he’s going to make a fantastic missionary! So excited for him though!

Lastly we had been able to attend the Funeral of a lady in our ward. It was such a spiritual event in her honor and celebration. It was so special. On the bottom of one of the frames it had a quote, and that is what I want to talk about this week. "Family; where life begins and love never ends." This touched me; it is so powerful and so true. Our family is the basis of all we do. From the time we are little we learn and grow from our families. We learn correct principles and how to treat others. We also always have our families to fall back on in times of need no matter what. But let me tell you what I have been seeing as I have grown up. Family is not necessarily the people that bring us into this life. Many children grow up in rough situations. I have seen growing up that there is a difference between being a dad and being a father. There is a difference in being a mom and being a mother. We need more Fathers and Mothers in this world. Each life is precious and valuable. Often times these souls are kept from the truth of life due to moms and dads. Our Responsibility, obligation, and duties are to be Fathers and Mothers. Not Moms and Dads. Each one of us can prepare ourselves to be a Father and a Mother. How can we develop ourselves to become a Father and Mother? Even those without kids should prepare now. Those who’s kids are already grown and moved out should work every day to better ones self. And those who are currently in the care of those children now... Be a Father and Mother to them. There is no better time to change than now. No better time to improve and progress than now. There is no better example to follow than Jesus Christ. Friends and Family our time is now. Be a Father and Mother to this rising generation. I am so blessed to have been raised by a wonderful Father and Mother. I reflect on their teachings each and every day. I was privileged to be raised on the principles of this gospel. I was privileged to know of my Savior Jesus Christ. I am eternally grateful for the foundation they laid for me and the example they set for me that someday I can be a Father to my future kids.

I love you all! Have a wonderful week! Remember, the Gospel is true and God loves you!

Elder Porter

Honolulu, Hawaii

This is a couple of scenery pics from Hilo. We drove there to get our car fixed.

We have elk heads hanging around at home everyone here has boar jaws.

Keoki blowing bubbles with the fan.. and Elder Siaosi wrecked the car... lol

We met this lady from Oahu. She is a member and took pics with us at this shaved ice place called "Big island shaved ice Co" It was so yummy!

The purple is sweet potato... sweet potatoes here are purple!!! I have been forgetting to tell you that!!! Look them up. They are weird... and gross but sweet potato ice cream is bomb!!! doesn't taste like the actual potato.