A white Christmas in Hawaii

Aloha! 

This week was awesome! Tuesday we went caroling with all the youth. It was so much fun! One of the less active youth came so that was sweet too! We also had some service burying fish with Brother Velorian and also cut down lots of Tall Grass. The highlight of my week was Christmas Eve. Zanaiyah, one of our investigators, entered the waters of baptism. It was a beautiful day and an amazing memory I'll never forget. I'm so grateful I was here from the beginning to the end to watch her change and grow. It was impactful on not just her but her family and even extended family. It was such a big and powerful step for them all!! She then got confirmed on Christmas day during sacrament. Also, on Christmas day I was able to Skype back home and talk to my family. That was so awesome. I am so grateful for how encouraging and loving they always are! It's always a good pick-me-up to talk with them! 

I'm so blessed. I was given the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father this Christmas. Being here with the Hawaiian people is terrific. But my eyes were opened and knowledge expanded, and testimony strengthened this Christmas about our Savior Jesus Christ. I bare my witness, Jesus is the Christ the Savior of the world. The only begotten son of the father. He lives and loves each one of us continually and indefinitely. By designs and plans created long ago he came to Earth and died for you and me. He Harbors the only way to return to Our Father in Heaven. The path is simple yet we all mess up. I know the Atonement is real. It can and will pick us up from our falls no matter how hard and no matter how many times. Christ hand is continually extended to us. We just need to grab it and not let go. I promise it is only through Christ we can be saved. Through our faith as well as our diligent actions. I love my Heavenly Father for the perfect and eternal plan he has created for me. I know Christ died for us, and I know he lives for us as well.

Thank you all so much for all you do. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love you all,
Elder Porter

The reason the email is late is because of a hike a group of us went on a 3.8 mile hike to Captain Cook monument. It was so fun.

 

The run!


 Christmas at our house

Christmas lights

White Christmas in Hawaii....

YES Mom we have food.

My scripture cover I made. 

 burying fish

 Baptism day

Gone hiking.....

 Elder Porter and some other missionaries in his area went on a hike and got back too late. This meant there would be no email this week. It's kind of crazy how much I look forward to his weekly email and how sad it was not to get one this week even though we just Skyped with him. Anyways, I wanted to take a moment and let you know how he is doing and some of the things he did this week. 


On Christmas day Sister Corotan shared:
Today our grand daughter Zanaiyah received the Gift of the Holy Ghost & confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Kayzen & Kyler- Grant were blessed and confirmed a member. What a beautiful Christmas these three had. Their thoughts were all on Our Savior Jesus Christ. Opening gifts were not even on their minds. To see these grandkids gain a testimony of their own and to consistently do their family prayers just brings so much joy. Merry Christmas Everyone from Our Family to Yours!

 Sister Corotan with her beautiful grand kids Zanaiyah, Kayzen and Kyler Grant.

 Elder Porter, Zanaiyah, and Elder VanShaar

Elder Porter and Elder VanShaar with Zanaiyah, Kayzen and Kyler Grant. Elder Porter blessed Kyler Grant. I was told that it was beautiful.

 Elder Porter with his little buddy Kyler Grant and Zanaiyah :)

Zanaiyah was baptized Christmas eve and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Christmas day.

 The Corotan family take such great care of the missionaries. Elder Porter LOVES them as do we. He even calls Sister Corotan Mom or Honey. That is what her family calls her. <3 They are such a blessing to our family.

Elder Porter just loves these kids. He even lets Zanaiyah paint his nails. Sorry for the sideways video.

 On Christmas night I received this pic. It was so comforting to know he is loved and taken care of.

 He is making a Hawaiian print scripture cover. :)

 

Mele Kalikimaka

Elder Porter is still wearing slippas as his feet are still healing from fire ant bites. Sound like he will be in them for a few more weeks. Even in the rain and mud. A member sent me this pic. No pics of his smile just is muddy feet. haha

Before.....

 Looking better..

He is well fed. :) He gains 12 lbs and then looses it. On Christmas day he said he is a few pounds lighter then when he started his mission. This pic tells a different story. :)

 

Sister Corotan made this yummy breakfast for them. It was Italian omelette, fried rice and French toast with butter, sour cream and jam. 

 

She says he is never ready to take a photo. haha He must have enjoyed it because this was his second plate. 

 This was at the ward Christmas party. Look at all that food!!

Burritos for lunch. Looks delicious.

 Elder Porter made dessert for the baptism. He made Blueberry mochi and Apple mochi. 

But first he learned to Kahi the bowl. Kahi means to clean the sides up. Sorry its sideways. I dont know how to fix it. :)

 Looks great!

more food. :)

Christmas morning without him was so hard.

Staring at the empty sock in the center hit me harder than I thought it would. I had a mission momma moment as I held his stocking and cried. I know he is where he needs to be and is happy. I did send him a stocking too but I just miss him.

Our first Skype call!! I loved seeing that smile! My heart was full.It was so great to hear his voice and see his face. He is so happy and truly loves his mission and the people he serves. 

Although we cried like babies when the fastest hour ever ended, I was still thankful for the time we had. As parents, it is so amazing to see the growth a missionary has. He has always been a leader and just an amazing young man. I'm so proud of him. His testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and his love and willingness to serve, his patients, and compassion just amazes me. One Christmas down one to go.

 

Well done Elder Porter. Keep doing amazing things. 

Love Mom