Be His Hands

This week was great! We saw lots of miracles! For example we had a member that talked to this guy and invited him to church. He came but as he got to the door he shied out and left but a member just pulled up saw him and went and talked to him and brought him in. We met with him and figured somethings out. He has a crazy reason for even being here then he asked to learn more! This is a perfect example of member missionary work.

We also received 4 new investigators from members just showing and introducing friends to us. We never know who is interested until we ask! It won’t ruin friendships or make things awkward. Just share what you care and love! Such happiness was brought even for those whose friends said thank you but no thank you.

On Oct 21^st out investigator gave us all his cigarettes and tobacco. He is still going strong! Glenn is so fun to teach and he is so determined to “do what God wants.”

We had some great lessons and I heard a quote that said exactly what I’ve been feeling. “The keystone leads us to the cornerstone”. The keystone being the Book of Mormon and the cornerstone being Jesus Christ. I would love to share my love for my Savior with you. As I struggle to find words to use I’ll just say literally without him hope is lost, we are and would always be lost and failures. BUT He lives, He did what all prophets prophesied He would do and He did it for YOU! Because of him we can overcome the world. We can conquer Satan, find peace in a troubled world and cleansed from sin. Our knowledge and testimony and love will grow for him as we read the Book of Mormon. If you’re reading it keep it up. If you aren’t … start. It will bless your life for eternity!!!

I love ya. Don’t forget to SMILE J Have a great week!

Elder Porter

Honolulu HI

Kaneohe - Home Stead

Arrived in the new area this week and man is it gorgeous! Looking out of the windows in the car and sooo happy thinking this is my new area! Then I stepped outta the car to realize it’s quite a bit cooler than my past areas so that just made it even better! Not only is the area awesome but the ward is amazing! So on-top of things and everyone helps us out sooo much! We hit the pavement hard this week visiting all the former and potential investigators we have record of. We had such a good time meeting these people and visiting the members in the area. Another cool thing is my companion enjoys running so we have been doing that every morning and it’s been amazing! Perfect weather and running down the street with the ocean a short distance out… it’s the best! It’s also helping me lose weight from the Samoan Ward Lol. 

Today we went on a hike to a waterfall. It was gorgeous and it was a fun time hanging out and getting to know the other missionaries in the Zone. Following the hike we went and played basketball. It’s been a good fun day! Nothing to complain about from Kaneohe except I got chased by a dog! Lol. Good thing it couldn’t keep up lol!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and finds time to do the little things that bring us close to God. It’s through the simple things that we are prepared for the big things that will come. I know that as we do our part Heavenly Father will sustain us and we will receive heavens help in our life. Don’t forget to Smile!! 

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI

 Water fall pics from our hike today

Janky stop sign

Our investigator gave us all his tobacco when I asked for it so he can stop and progress to his baptism.. he had so much! lol Hes doing great!!!!  

A huge fruit thing I found on a tree. A Gabon???? Elder Allen says.. its like a huge orange. lol It's massive!!!!!

BYE BYE Honolulu

Well Transfer news came and I’m going to KAUAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol jk.......  Kaneohe here I come! It’s always an interesting time transferring here in Hawaii. It is moving into a whole new culture. It is different ethnicity of people, different languages, different climates and its nothing like where you come from. Just one of the many reasons Hawaii is the best mission! So my Family told me that its getting below freezing at night and Idaho Falls is getting snow already.. Well not here in Hawaii it’s hot and humid as always! I’m looking forward to the few degrees cooler in Kaneohe from here. 

This week was interviews and Zone Conference. It’s always a good time to be with President and Sister Bekker. It’s always cool to see past companions and mission friends! I conducted the Zone Conference with 4 zones that came together and looking out into a group of like 85 Missionaries that’s pulling faces and teasing you is quite comical Lol! I made it through with out laughing haha! 

So we have been participating in the Mission Prep Classes for the stake! It has been so cool to watch them all progress and improve from what has being taught to them. They are able to come back and share experiences throughout the week and it’s amazing how ready and prepared they already are! They are going to make amazing missionaries!  

We saw this week that as we follow promptings no matter how "dumb" they seem miracles happen and we are blessed.. I stopped a while after seeing this guy across the street and after being prompted to go back. We turned around and went all the way back. We got shut down right away by the guy sitting there at the bus stop. So we started walking away and there was another man we talked to that was so energetic and excited to learn. He was sooo happy to have a Book of Mormon and to read from it. I learned when were prompted to go to talk to someone that doesn't mean it’s that person that’s ready. That just may put you in the spot to meet the person you are being directed to. No matter how weird or how doubtful you are... when the spirit speaks... JUST DO IT!!

After being in the city for the past 3 transfers I’m excited to go to more of the country side! Super green and lots of hikes for future p days! It’ll also be fun because I haven’t met like any of the missionaries in that zone so I’ll be able to meet a lot of new friends! Such an exciting time! I hope you all have a wonderful week and enjoy whatever comes your way! Don’t forget to SMILE!

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI

 Good bye pics

Mission prep class

The size of shrimp is crazy here and that's like avg.. we already ate the big ones before we got the camera.

My comps a boxer now

Bye Elder Williams (Favorite missionary finished)

Our breakfast this morning

Hawaii... Nowhere else I’d rather be!

This was a week full of a lot of hard work and visiting lots of people. Elder Fanene and I have been focusing on talking to everyone and not wasting a minute. As we have done this we have seen so many miracles happening. We have also been able to experience the other side of working so hard and doing all you can and things not working out, appointments dropped, and a lack of "success" finding and teaching people. One thing I have learned on my mission is agency is a very real thing and no matter how much faith we have it'll never force someone to change. Christ himself being a perfect teacher was not believed, turned away, and persecuted... so what makes us think we shouldn't be? But what keeps me up, happy, and excited is although its heart breaking knowing of the things these people are missing out on and turning away from... I KNOW for myself that these things are true. Nothing someone has said to me has caused me to doubt at all. Friends and family... This is peace in this life and eternal life in the life to come. This is peace that comes from no other source except Christ himself. This is eternal families and marriages extended through the Veil. This is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are children of the Most High and this is His plan for us to return to live with Him. I Love you all and invite you all to learn more of Christ and his church. From someone who has never heard of Christ to our Prophet... there is learning to be done.. Testimony to be strengthened.. and love to expressed. The Book of Mormon is the evidence. Read it... If it is true your life will be changed... why not find out for yourself? I hope you all have a great week, smile, and serve those around you! 

Elder Porter 

Honolulu, HI

   This week was HOT! Thank goodness for Ice cream!!

Doing some service

 Hi mom