1 sided water fight?

This was a fun week. We went on two exchanges and they both were really different. One of them we had tons of success and the other not so much. When I was with Elder Williams, we got kind of lost on the road in his area when we were walking so it turned into a super long walk. But as we went we ran into 3 people that had been put in our paths. 3 inspired meetings that had such a wonderful spirit during the conversation. Later that night we found a family that was very interested in the church. We started out talking to the mom and by the end people had trickled out in small groups and we were teaching 8 people and all were super excited for the next visit. The other day we worked so hard but no one wanted to talk to us. From doors shut in our face, to windows shut as we were just saying hi, to being yelled at, and we even got sprayed with a hose and told to go home. As we kept going, we ended up only talking to 1 person that entire day but it was amazing! When we first met her she rolled her eyes and asked why we were there. Then, she came out and said "well what’s the lesson?" The spirit came so strong as we taught and testified to her. She had tears in her eyes and said she wants to be baptized. It was so cool to see after so much effort, walking, and trying to talk to people in the blazing hot day in Hawaii we found 1 person that would hear us. At that moment I had forgotten about the previously who knows how many rejections, forgot about the sweat soaked shirt, and the wet pants from a hose and it was a moment filled of joy, peace, and happiness. 

I know that when we do our part, the Lord will do his. We must go through the hard times in life to experience joy. There is always opposition in all things and in order to experience the most amazing things in life sometimes we need to experience the not so amazing things. When we put our lives in the Lord’s hands we will always be successful. We may not see it, but he will always use our efforts to better and haste his work. Let us all be grateful in all things and smile even when things are tough. "You will not receive a witness until after the trial of your faith."

Have a blessed week, enjoy your families, make some happy memories, and smile! 

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI 

PS I ATE A BALUT THIS WEEK. LOL IT WAS ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD!  It's a Filipino egg thing. Look it up.

Exchanges with Elder Lock

Not sure what is happening here. Haha

 Typical dinner here.

 A size 70 belt

So many little kids!

A few weeks ago, a younger lady came to church and we were finally able to meet with her and teach a lesson. She’s amazing! Her name is Rachel and she showed up to our first lesson already having read the Book of Mormon up to Alma 11. She said usually people find God when life's at the bottom. However, she then goes on to tell her amazing story! Her life is great but she just felt like there’s more and she feels like this is it. It was so cool to just see how prepared some people are for the gospel. Heavenly Father is preparing people to hear the gospel. A lot of times those people don’t even know they’re looking for it until they find it. It is through you and me that the gospel is shared. So what does that mean for us? Live it, love it, and open your mouth and share it! It’s a wonderful message. What better way to show someone you love them than helping them be blessed not only now but for eternity! 

Our stake had a stake primary activity for teaching the youth how to be a missionary now. It was fun to see so many youth there. They were planning for 145 youth, but made stuff for 175 just in case and ran out. Such a good turn out! About 200 youth (ages 3-11) and 50 leaders! It was CRAZY, but so much fun. I have so much to learn from these little kids. They're amazing! 

For the past while our mission has been reading the Book of Mormon as a mission and what amazing experiences have come from it. I want each of you to know that I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It was written for us in our day. So much weighs on whether it’s true or not, and the promise is if we read, ponder, and pray, we will know whether it’s true or not. Why not do it just to see? This is more than just a candy bar on the line... its eternal life!

 I love each one of you and appreciate all you do! Have a wonderful week filled with smiles and laughs. 

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI 

The Honolulu West Stake primary activity

 In a members home to give her family a blessing.

 Hi Mom

 No need AC!!!! we do it local style....

 Its important that we preach the Gospel to every creature. :)

Gods will over our own

Just a quick story from this week; Elder Fanene and I were planning for our day and as we finish we noticed we didn’t plan a lunch or dinner. As we went through the day, the other missionaries wanted to meet up and grab a quick lunch. We denied it and stuck to the plans we made. As we went we found ourselves at KPT. While we were on the elevator, this college age kid comes on and greets us and told us to come up to his place. We went to our name we were going to see and they weren't home so we went up and met not only him but his 4 friends. They had lots of questions of the church, we were able to share and teach principles from the restoration. We were invited back to share more with them. Dinner time comes around and we decided to take a quick dinner break. So after our 10 minute break we went out and got back to work. We met with this man named Vai, we saw him last week and he told us to come back so we did and shared the Plan of Salvation with him. He told us he has looked back through life at the many things that have happened to keep him alive, to direct him to different places and he said it was all so he would end up sitting across from us to hear that message. He accepted the invitation to be baptized and we will continue to teach and help him make that goal he had set for himself. I know that when we do our part the Lord will do his. 

I have learned so much on my mission! Today as I reflected on some of these things I focused on one, and it was that no matter how much I want to do something, it only matters if God wants me to do it. Now he’s not a micromanager and he won’t tell us ever little answer to every little decision he wants us to use our agency and study it out in our minds. But he does have a path for us to walk to best help him in his work. And as we choose his will over our own it will ALWAYS lead to greater happiness, joy, and peace. I know this to be true and it only comes from living it and doing it that we can come to know it is true. I hope you all have a wonderful week and find many things in your day to smile about! 

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI

Elder Fanene's the man

Coolest part of the week was our recent convert Alora from 2 weeks ago went to the temple this week for baptisms for the dead! I love the experiences people can have as they just choose to follow the example of Jesus Christ. What a simple decision but huge step, a step packed with many many blessings! I’m so grateful for the knowledge I have of our savior Jesus Christ and for the many things him and only him has allowed me to experience in this life. 

Elder Fanene and I were able to teach mission prep it was weird it felt as I was just sitting in mission prep with Trenton Hope excited for our day to come to go into the field. Now we have been out for a little bit and so many stories, memories, and experiences have been made in such a short amount of time. It is so fun to watch young men and woman prepare for a mission and see the excitement they have and just knowing they have no idea how much joy they are actually going to feel serving the Lord. 

This week Elder Fanene and I ended up at a weird part of our area at a strange time and as we were walking this lady comes out from behind a car and starts asking us questions about the church we were able to answer some questions and set up a time to return. One thing I love about the mission is that the spirit is so strong. Even if things don’t make sense logically if you feel it’s what you should do, do it! I was grateful to know we were at the exact place, at the exact time, meeting the exact person that Heavenly Father wanted us to be. It was an awesome experience and one that happens often as we follow the spirit. 

We had a training yesterday speaking on the mind of Christ. What are these characteristics that Christ had? I would invite all of us to study this thing. What were some Attributes Christ had? And how can we develop them? As we develop them we will; see as he sees, think as he thinks, talk as he would talk, say what he would say, do what he would do, love as he would love, and many more things. I know as we diligently seek for the attributes of Christ that our nature will change, we will overcome weakness and find ourselves doing and being like our Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his example and the many tools he has given me to be successful in this life and to be happy. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week full of smiles and good memories! 

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI

 Yesterdays MLC. I came out with all of them. Zone leaders and STL. you can see how much we all have changed lol. That was the squad in the MTC it was fun being back together!

Momma Alatine

 The fire from the other week.

 KPT possible crime maybe??? Blood everywhere?!?!?!? Welcome to Hon West.

 

Mom, of course I'm safe. Look at this big soule I have as a companion. lol

 These are members and some investigators. We just finished basketball.