Inviting the Spirit through music

Not too many exciting things happened this week. But one thing I love about Hawaii is the majority of people are very musically talented. Yesterday there was a musical fire side. It was beautiful. The spirit was so strong as the people shared their testimonies though their talents. I love the revelation given through Joseph Smith "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." This was the experience I had there. I absolutely love walking the streets here too. Often it's like every fifth house or so you can hear people inside singing and its always sooo good! So many people have Karaoke and we can hear it from a long ways away, it's so fun. I have grown a love for music and so grateful for other's talents of it because I have none lol!  

I hope you all have a wonderful week and see Gods hand in your life! He is wonderful and cares about us and loves us so much. Let us ponder about him this week and truly think of how great he is. What has he done for us? And let us all remember we are children of the most high. Enjoy your week and don't forget to smile!!

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI

 Old man Dorrough and Super Dorrough

 that was breakfast one day. 

Hi Mom

 Thanks for the shirts mom

 and for the flash drives

 The Nuitupuivahas and their huge 15 passenger bus we rode on.

All that in a book?

   A few weeks ago we ran into the sisters in our area. They cover the Samoan ward and so I felt the need to help them for a few minutes. We took them to the 3 Samoans we knew for sure would go to that ward in our area. The third house the family was outside so we got to talking with them and found one of them was not a member. Saturday that one person was baptized. Uli was the boys name and he is a stud! He's so awesome! He just moved here to live with his parents from Samoa and so his English isn't great, but it was so fun meeting him and seeing him dressed in white 3 weeks later!     Kahuku High School had their graduation this week and it was awesome! Everyone should look it up on youtube. It was nothing like I have ever seen before! All their seniors perform in a huge dance and song. They are so talented and it was mind blowing! 

   We took our investigator to the Visitors Center at the Laie Temple this week. There is a new video out about Joseph Smith and the process of the translation. As we watched, the spirit was so strong. The trials that Joseph Smith went through along with his wife and friends was huge. Their enduring faith and diligence to the commandments alongside with the mercy and direction of God is why we have the Book of Mormon today. I am grateful for faithful servants of God who he qualifies to do his work. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon that allows us to know the truthfulness of Christ's Church. Friends and family, I share this because it is something so special and dear to me. It has turned my life around 180 degrees. It has turned temporal happiness into eternal and everlasting joy and peace. I urge everyone to read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon and to know the truthfulness of it. I testify that if this is done with the attitude of being willing to act on it, you will receive an answer by the power of God through the Holy Spirit. What a beautiful, intimate, and undeniable experience this is as well. 

   I hope each one of you have a great week! Treasure the struggles you face now, it is because of them that you will grow tomorrow! Love ya and don't forget to smile!

Elder Porter

Honolulu, Hawaii

The Temple. 

Cuddles from puppy during studies.

 He's supposed to be cutting my hair not messing up his that I just did!

The dogs just walk in to use our fans we have. 

Ulis baptism that's the Sister missionaries baptism but we found him!

2 of the kids I live with.

 Kahuku Graduation Class of 2017

Samoan food (Chop Sui, Green banana W/ coconut milk, and Coco Samoa). 

A HUGE cookie for desert.

Wrecked on my bike.

Ummm...I don't know

This was a crazy week with lots of travel. Transfers were this week and so we went to Honolulu a few times just due to the random stuff that happened. I was in a trio for a couple days as we waited for one of the missionaries to fly in. It was such a different feeling. It was like mobbing the door with missionaries. lol It was also good to know you had one extra person that might know the answer to a question if you didn't know it. haha 

Our new pad we just moved into is so fun! We (The Family) has 3 dogs. 2 are pit bulls and they are so nice. It's so fun to play with them and they love Mondays because they get lots of attention haha. The Family also has a couple kids and they are adorable!!! It's like having little brothers and they also love Mondays too haha. It's a great time! 

A good Friend sent me this quote by President Uchtdorf, "God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord" Our Heavenly Father knows us and loves us, he commends and corrects us. Are we humble enough to take that correction and change? This quote stood out to me as something we need to do every day. Give ourselves to God. No matter how wicked or righteous we are, no matter how obedient or disobedient we are, or even how far gone we feel.... He WILL take us as we are. It might be the hardest step you have ever taken to do it, but it will be the most fulfilling, rewarding, and joyful step too. Let us break the bands which Satan has us held down with and take that step and keep taking the next step for the rest of our lives. Christ's crucifixion is real and the Atonement was done so he will be able to work with us."... Willing heart, desire to believe, and trust in the Lord" That's what he asks and he will change and transform our lives forever. Nothing is to bad or low to be corrected. The healing and enabling power of the Atonement is greater than sin. Use it.

 Have a wonderful week, smile and be happy, what a joy it is to be blessed like we are in our lives!!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Thank you for all the wonderful mother figures I have had throughout my life. I'm most grateful for my mother and I had a wonderful time talking on Skype with her Yesterday! Love ya all and wish ya the best!!

Elder Porter

Honolulu, Hawaii

Elder Apeland and Elder Porter

Building in Honolulu.

 Baby Lelani birthday.

 Wendy's speak truth.

 Me and Mana one of the boys I live with

 Elder Dorrough and the puppy (hes asleep)

 Elder Dorrough drank the whole thing because I said I'd write it in my journal.

 Fish from a members spear fishing catch.

 Fish has a beak... "Parrot fish"

Best part of a mission

So this week we went to May-day. Now what is that? I'm still not sure, a celebration of May or Spring maybe but I'm not sure... all I know is all the kids in elementary school had a huge performance. Each Grade had their own dance. It was awesome! The kids were so great and it was super cute! It was so fun after and through the following days asking them what dance they were in and they would like do the whole thing over again. It's a hot topic of conversation still!

Saturday was such a busy day! It started out with a wedding in the morning. It was at a beach park and it was absolutely beautiful! Right after we went to the chapel and had 4 Baptisms, one of them being the bride that was just married. It was a beautiful day seeing so many people dressed in white making promises with our Heavenly Father and beginning their journey to returning to him.

Sunday was the confirmations and the Spirit was so strong as they were confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a wonderful day for the family! I was also asked to ordained a recent convert, who had gone less active and has recently returned, to the Priesthood. It was such a special moment as his family has come back to church with him. So many miracles have been happening and marvelous things are happening. I'm so grateful for the Lord and his direction in this work.  

Transfers are always a crazy time! With missing the people who are leaving from finishing their missions, to those who get transferred out, and even the excitement of those coming to serve with you. Elder Hansen my MTC companion is getting transferred here as a Zone Leader so I will get to see him a lot. Exciting things like that are always fun to hear. The mission is so fun and truly is the best time ever!

As we read the scriptures and pray daily, we will know our standing with God and we will never drift away without knowing were drifting. 

Have a wonderful week!

Elder Porter

Honolulu, Hawaii

 May Day

 Selfie before the wedding

 Baptism pics

Days are so hot I just want to sleep in the fridge.

Our District

 At the wedding

 A little boy we get to teach. So cute.