Gods Hands

This week was great. We got to go on a few exchanges. I was able to serve with Elder Johnson and Elder Wood. We were able to meet lots of new people and meet some very interesting people. We saw lots of miracles every day as we worked this week. One of the coolest things was, we showed up to the YSA branch and there was a guy named Kevin. Kevin has never been to church his entire life at all. He was invited by a friend from Utah that told him to come and check it out so he did. He loved it and now is going to take lessons and continue to come to church! That helped me to realize that we don't need the perfect circumstances or situations to invite people to do things. The girl that invited him is still in Utah and he came all by himself into a place that he didn't know and an environment that he didn't know anybody. It was awesome to see how when the Lord prepares someone, they are ready regardless of the circumstances.
The mission office staff is amazing! Sisters Shurtz is like my mom. She's there to answer all my questions and fix my problems that I don't know what to do with! Lol, this week we had a miracle with Elder Walker (senior missionary). I was on exchanges with Elder Johnson and we were in the mission office getting ready to head out for the day. Elder Walker handed Elder Johnson some jumper cables and told him that this is so his Zone and call him if they have any issues. Within the hour we met a guy whose car battery was dead. We were able to go to our car and come back and jumpstart his car. We able to talk briefly about the gospel and will definitely be following up with him in the future. It's cool how our Heavenly Father's hand is in our day even when we don't necessarily realize that it at the moment.
It is such a blessing to my life to meet so many wonderful people and especially the people of Hawaii. They are truly amazing! This is a special place and I will never be able to look at it the same. For I have learned and experienced so much. One thing I have experienced is we can know our savior on a very personal level. For someone I have never seen face to face, he has become my best friend. I know we can feel his presence and see how impacts in our lives. This week with Easter coming let us all remember the reason for it. Think of Christ. And live more like him. I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Every day I strive to show that gratitude through my actions. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week! Learn of, live like, and smile with Christ. Happy Easter.

Elder Porter
Honolulu, HI

Easter egg sent from home.

Soaked after a walk from service.

 When your comp locks the keys in the office

Don't mess with em

Maui?? Here am I send me!

This week was awesome, lots of great things! On exchanges with Elder Dushku, we walked the entire day and really focused on talking to people. We met some really... interesting people! We had a lot of great contacts and were lead into some prepared people!
I was privileged to go to Maui this week for a day on exchanges with Elder Pugh. It was an awesome day and we taught some AMAZING people. Such powerful testimonies they have! I felt so much love for them as I recognized the potential each one of them had! While there I was able to go to the Polehu Chapel. It is gorgeous and so significant. The first chapel in Hawaii was this very one. On the grounds is where Christ appeared to George Q Cannon, the first missionary in the islands in 1850. So many other things took place here. It was a life-changing experience being there.
Today we got to go to the temple and had an awesome time there! Following that, we went on a hike with President Bekker. It was a great time we heard lots of amazing stories from his mission and service in the church! It's truly a blessing to know him and his wife!
Can I just say my companion is hilarious! You never know what will happen next! We're driving home from Laie and he got a bloody nose. After using the last couple tissues and napkins... Well, there goes on of his shirt selves! Just ripped it off! I can barely keep a record in my journal of all the funny, dumb, and amazing things that go on between us daily let alone the rest of the day! Great time being together!
Well, I'm grateful to know my Heavenly Father lives and knows me individually I find great strength in him in all aspects of life. I know he is the source of peace and joy! Look to him this week and keep a smile! Love you all have a great week!!

 Elder Porter

Honolulu, Hi

Maui!

Elder Pugh

 

 Polehu chapel

Chinese puppet

My greenie forgot a name tag. Haha

And... there goes the sleeves!

Look to Him

  So the past many weeks have been crazy and busy! I have tried every week to give a small little taste of the experience and things that are happening here. I really wish I could write enough to do even a little justice. I am absolutely LOVING my mission. I learn and grow every day! I have learned more, how to love those around me. My eyes have often been open where I see people as my brothers and sisters rather than just another person. There have been times when my eyes have been opened and I have seen and felt the love our Heavenly Father has for a specific individual. I have no doubt that our Heavenly Father has an incomprehensible love, care, and concern for each of us. I know our Savior Jesus Christ has suffered and experienced everything we have, do, and will feel and go through; and because of that, we can call upon the atonement daily to improve and grow. As we look to Christ in all things I know there is an incomparable joy that will enter into our lives.
  This week I had the privilege of going on 3 exchanges with different Zone Leaders. While serving with Elder Iverson we had been walking all day and working hard to talk to as many people as we could. We had gone all day and not a single person accepted or would even give us a few moments to talk with them. The evening came and the very last door we knocked on the door opened and a bright smile greeted us with a welcoming Hello. We met Amy. She has been searching for truth. She has been meeting with other missionaries from other churches trying to understand Gods words. Her Grandfather was a Mormon. She was thrilled to meet this week and begin taking the lessons. It was amazing to know how we were directed by God to be at the right place at the right time. 
Our investigators we have been teaching, the Maemories, are doing awesome they set a baptism date and are doing awesome. We have some very solid lessons this week and many people are progressing to baptism! It is such an exciting time to see others building their faith in Christ and taking those first steps to begin following Him for the rest of their lives. 
  I know Christ lives. I know His church and the important principles and ordinances he taught is restored to this earth. I know He calls a Prophet and gives them presiding authority to lead and guide the church, as we follow them they will lead us to Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is the way given by God to know for ourselves of the truthfulness of eternity. I know anyone who sincerely seeks to know the truth and reads the Book of Mormon with the intentions to act on their answer will receive their answer straight from God through the Holy Ghost. These things along with my family knowing and living these things together I have felt no greater JOY in my life. I hope we all have joy every day! If you're not feeling joy every day, look to Christ. If you’re struggling and would like help or have questions please email me or message me on FaceBook. We are all brothers and sisters as children of God. Our purpose is to help each other know of and return to our Father in Heaven. I love you all and I’m so grateful for you. Have a fantastic week and don't forget to be happy and smile!

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI 

 A trip to the Doc but all is good.

 Elder Porter must have liked the postcard we sent him of his dad. haha

 ♫♪ I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again. ♪♫

 Elder Iverson 

March MLC

No! Not Sister Bekker.. Oopps

This week was great. We had a lot going on early in the week with transfers and so we got to spend some time with the greenie missionaries as well as those that were departing and heading home. It's always weird to see those missionaries that you serve with your whole mission going home, kind of a sad time.

We also had MLC and it was fantastic, everything was super uplifting and inspiring. Sister Becker talked about gratitude and how when we are grateful in all things it adds blessings to those that we are already receiving. President talked about authority vs power. The things he shared were so powerful and insightful. I definitely learned things that I need to do better in my life to receive God's power in my actions.  As missionaries we all have authority... But do we carry the power of God with us? In all we do in life there is no time to coast or procrastinate. The Lord needs us and he needs us now. Elder Willden and I trained on establishing the church. As we increase our ability to work with members and refine our teaching skills it will build conversion in ourselves, the members, and the investigators. To establish the church we must build testimony in Jesus Christ. I know that Christ lives and because of that, it affects how I act in my day to day life.

We had a super cool lesson with the Maemories. Their daughter has been a little standoffish to the lessons however her family has progressed really well. It was cool to see that in this last lesson she was more engaged and more excited about what we're talking about she even participated quite a bit. We hope that she continues to be like this that she can be baptized with her family.

Funny story of the week. We were locking up the courtyard at the tabernacle. We walked through to check that no one was in there. We left and a few minutes later came back outside to find Sister Bekker’s son laughing on the phone. We locked Sister Bekker, our mission president’s wife in the courtyard with no way to get out. We let her out and had a laugh!

It was a great week and I look forward to better ones to come! Have a great week enjoy the moments and do not forget to smile! Love you all and am grateful for what you do!

Elder Porter

Honolulu, HI 

Sokoya from Moanalua 1st

 PCC New Zealand Haka

 PCC after. The night show

 Pearl harbor

 Selfie by Arizona

 Arizona and Missouri in the back

TANTALUS departing group who hadn't left already departing group who hadn't left already

 The amount of cars we drive at transfers... didn't know I could drive 3 cars at once did ya?!

 Long lost cousin

 MLC

Added by his mom...

This is a postcard Elder Porter sent home last week. Here is what he has to say about this beautiful pic:

"This island is very dear to the people of Hawaii. Ho'opaipo, meaning boomerang, was very sacred during voyages. They would sail the inner "C" of the island as good luck from the God of water, Vai. As the ho'opaipo is thrown it goes out and returns so shall the ship leave and return safely. As ho'opaipo leaves and returns so shall I. I will see you in 6 months! I love you! PS I made up the whole thing but just wanted to say I love you!"

Haha, just a small glimpse of the things I deal with. Hahaha, I sure love this kid.