This Week Was Awesome!!

Met up with my old MTC companion at the big meeting.  Elder McGary

September 5, 2016

WEEK 44

Dear mi familia y amigos,

This week was awesome!!  But I some unexpected news… My good old companion, Elder Cox, is leaving me already to go be a trainer in another area. And so I will again be… training. ALSO, for the first time in the last two years, we are going to have sister missionaries in Rio Bravo and they are in my district. YEAH! But nothing will change for me. I’m still training, still district leader, so it’s going to be fun. I have no idea yet who my new companion is so, I will tell you the next time!

But we were able to do a lot of things this week. So, like I mentioned to Dad in his email last week, I was invited to go to a big meeting with the Zone Leaders, which happened this week. We talked about the success of the mission and everything. It was really cool and I learned a lot. But it was actually pretty intense. The assistants (AP’s) show the results of the mission to everyone and they pretty much say "Good Job" to the zones that have baptized a lot and for the people that haven’t, they “planched” them why they haven’t had success and everything.

I realized in my mission that we all want success and are working together to make it happen. So we will strive to be the servants that God needs. We’ve lost a lot of missionaries these last two months so as a mission we are hurting a little bit, but we are thankfully getting the same results. At the meeting, I got the chance to talk to my good old father, ELDER MULLINS. He’s an AP now! We have 6 assistants in my mission, which is unusual. I also got to see my old MTC companion, Elder McGary.

AND the president is in LOVE with the ukulele. Anytime I am with him, he wants me to bring my ukulele! This weekend the general authority over our area will actually be visiting our mission and he wants us to SING for him with the ukulele.... so I will let you know how that goes.

Sadly, we didn’t have baptisms this last week. Because of the meeting, we lost a couple of days to work. Also, the investigators that we have right now are not progressing enough to be baptized. I will let you know what happens this next week.

I love you all! The mission is awesome!  Also, if any of you have questions, I can answer them. Just email me.

- Elder Pukahi

Marisol, she's an investigator.  We are teaching her English.

Party Time With Mission President and Wife

Elder Pukahi with Mission President Morales and Sister Morales

June 27, 2016

WEEK 34

Dear Mi Familia & Friends,

MOMMY, I love your emails!

YOU GUYS ARE DOING A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS without me but I’m so happy for you!!!! KEEP IT UP! Keep doing stuff because that means you are having fun and enjoying life—which you need to do after everything we’ve been through. And I know when I get back, we’ll do a lot of things together. But you guys already know that I’m going to go and have some fun for myself and I will be making you jealous so don’t worry! LOL.

But this last week we were able to do a huge amount of things. We found a great number of people that seem to want to progress, and we are seeing the blessings that God has given us.

Lunch in Reynosa with
CCM companion Elder McGary

Also, on Friday we had A PARTY! It was for our Mission President because him and his wife are leaving this week and because we achieved our goal for baptisms this last month. So we went to REYNOSA and I SAW EVERYONE! That was the best! Seeing every missionary is the best. I didn’t realize how much I missed everyone. I got a great amount of pictures.

Elder Mullins and Elder Pukahi

It’s been weird. God has just suddenly PUT people in our way. This week we found a woman who works in the Cyber where we write. She’s actually here right now, but after writing this last week, we started a conversation with her like it was nothing. We weren’t even trying to teach her the Gospel. We just wanted to get to know her and well, she’s now reading the Book of Mormon. She’s half way through 1st Nephi. She has some challenges, for instance, her husband… We don’t know if he’s going to cause trouble and even allow her to be baptized but we’ll find out soon enough. And she’s not the only one. This week was amazing. Even when I feel inadequate to do this work, somehow God trusts me to do it, and he puts people in our path.

My companion and I are now really tight. Elder Segundo is chill. At first it was hard but as we’ve grown together, we now have this special bond. I cannot even describe it. When we are teaching, it’s like I know what he’s going to say and I am just waiting for him to say it, so I can then testify of his words. I’ve learned a lot with Him and I’m learning a lot more. I mean we haven’t had the success we wanted but maybe it wasn’t the things that we needed...

Well....you guys already know! I LOVE THE MISSION! I know with all my heart this church is the only true church upon the Earth. And the Gospel is the only way we can truly receive the pure happiness of life.

I love you with ALL my heart. I cannot even describe how much I love you guys.  STAY SAFE!

- Elder Pukahi

p.s. There’s a missionary here with me that knows Griffon Bodine, because Griffon is serving in his home…SMALL WORLD!

Leaving From The MTC Today!

My district on our last night together in the MTC.

December 14, 2015

Hola, Family & Friends!

Sorry but I don’t know how much time I have because I am just getting here…

So yesterday was awesome and sad but mainly awesome! Saying goodbye to my District was I think the saddest part. It’s crazy how close I got to people in only 6 weeks. Just think how much closer I could get to the people of Reynosa and other people in my mission. But it’s nice having Elder McGary with me and our good old Latino friend, Elder Lovano. And guess what?!?! I am literally running on an hour of sleep. Whew! Lol. But I am surviving. I think my p-day is from now on MONDAYS, and I’m not sure how much time I have, so this might be a short message or maybe not. We’ll see. I’m just waiting for them to tell me when to get off.

Anyways, it’s time for me to get telling you what I think so far…

Reynosa is definitely where I am suppose to be called. It feels like home! It’s weird but it’s the best! My mission president is way cool, and he is very nice. ALSO his son is serving in VINA DEL MAR, CHILE…Quinton!!! lol. BUT his son is coming home on Wednesday, so I don’t know if Quinton would have known him or not.

Anyway, it is weird, though, being at my mission and away from the MTC. I don’t know anything right now. When people talk to me, I can reply but with really bad Spanish…haha. I feel like a dog on a leash, just being led by people and following every direction they pull me. I really have no idea who my companion is, where I’m going, anything really…so sorry about that. It’s because it is only ten o’clock in the morning, and we just arrived to the mission home.

Okay, I have to talk about Reynosa, where the mission home is. It feels like I am in Utah, just very dirty and a little poorer Orem, Utah. So it’s nice. I like it. But I guess I will tell you next week where I’m going to be going because this is only where the mission home is at. And sorry that I don’t have much to say but it’s because I don’t know anything yet.

I’m happy to hear that you guys are having an awesome time at home, and doing spiritual things and everything. I guess I’m being spiritual, too. Man, we’re all being spiritual, who knew? We aren’t just talking about poop and farts…Oh, how I miss that. lol.

I love you guys so much. Sorry this email isn’t much but I will info you more next week.

- Elder Pukahi

A Lot Has Happened This Week, It's Crazy, Crazy, Crazy!!!

Elder Pukahi - Mexico City Temple

December 10, 2015

MTC WEEK 5

New Mailing Address after Monday:

Abelardo Morales Mendez

ATTN: (Elder Pukahi)

701 N. International Blvd

STE 101-1511

Hidalgo, TX 78557

HI, FAM!

A lot has happened this week, it’s crazy, crazy, crazy!!!

We went to the temple today!! So I don’t have a lot of time to write because there’s a lot to do. But the Mexico City temple is so beautiful!

I recommend that everyone should go to the temple this upcoming week because it brings so much peace to our lives. It’s just beautiful, and it was especially nice going right before I leave to Reynosa. Oh yeah, did I mention…

I’M GOING TO REYNOSA ON MONDAY!

The reason I’m overly excited is because yesterday I had an awesome experience. I talked with a man named Alfonso who lived in REYNOSA. It was during TRC (that’s where we teach volunteers, and we explain how they can receive revelation better, but it’s these people who are usually God given Saints, so it mainly consists of us talking and bearing our testimony, WHICH I LOVE!

Alfonso is a friend of my teacher from his mission. When he came in, we started talking, trying to get to know him. So we’re all like ¿De donde usted? and he says, "Reynosa". Then me and my companion, Elder McGary, turn to each other and start freaking out…lol. But we got talking with him and he’s awesome. After the lesson, we talked with him some more about Reynosa and the people, the weather, just everything! It got me soooo excited. There’s a reason for everything. If you don’t see it now, you can later. I’m so excited to go, even though, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE, or teach or really anything! BUT I know if I just trust in my Lord, my Savior, Jesucristo, I can do anything.

And that leads me to my next topic – Jesucristo!

On Sunday we watched the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, and it was awesome because WE COULD LISTEN TO MUSIC!! Did I cry? Yes. Am I ashamed? Not really because music just hits the soul.

But during this whole week we’ve talked and talked about CHRIST. I mean, yes, I know it’s the Christmas season, which makes me even more happy, but Christ is EVERYTHING! He’s the reason we can be happy, the reason we can fill joy, the reason this gospel is alive and striving, and the reason WE ARE ALIVE is because of CHRIST.

Christ is our Savior. And I know this time of year is hard for our family. Actually that’s part of the reason why I cried so much, just remembering all the bittersweet memories. But remembering those memories made me even more excited about leaving and preaching this gospel. Those memories are hard and sad, but they are also filled with so much LOVE, specifically CHRIST’S LOVE. And as a family we have been blessed and blessed being able to feel that great and powerful love. And that’s why I’m here. I’m here to bring people unto Christ. SO THEY CAN FEEL THAT LOVE.

In our devotional we had on Tuesday, he asked us the question, "Why did you decide to be a missionary?" and I thought....and thought....and thought. He actually had us think for 5 minutes, thinking about our reason. And my reason came to me…and I want to share this with you, but I sort of don’t because it’s from deep in my heart BUT I feel I should so that you may understand why I am here and for you guys to understand WHY WE NEED TO SERVE.

The reason I’m here in the mission field is because I realized how thankful I am to my God. He has given me everything, and what I learned from our experience with Josh is that God can easily take things away. And the amazing part is He does that because He LOVES us. He loves us so much and the only way I know I can give back is to serve. SERVE HIM and bring people unto him.

I love you guys so much!!! It’s crazy to think that this Monday I am flying to Reynosa. Also, nobody goes to Reynosa. For the past 6 weeks, nobody has flown out to Reynosa from the CCM. And there’s only three of us leaving—Me, Elder McGary and a Latino. It’s going to be an adventure!

I’m so happy to be here. I’m happy with the things going on at home. I love you all soooo much!!!!!

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

- Elder Pukahi

p.s. Carlton & Cody, the guy that made your scripture cases who works here says HOLA!

p.s.s. I expect PICS FROM THIS CHRISTMAS!!! AND BE HAPPY!!!

My companions and Hermana Bigley in background

My Great District and Hermano Canadian,
who is chilling in the front

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!

and who said I wasn't a photographer.

November 26, 2015

Hi, FAMILY & FRIENDS,

THEY FED US TURKEY, MASHPOTATOES, AND PIE!!!!!!!!  It’s literally the best day ever. I mean the CCM food is usually good, but there is nothing like a good ‘ole AMERICAN meal. Love, love, love, love, love!

My LATINO AMIGOS! I love them so much! they left this last Monday to the field but after our missions were are all going to Chill!

Man, I have so much to say…. Okay, so my Zone had one of the district's leave to the field. It was sad but happy and exciting times. I mean they get to go share this wonderful gospel with so many people. They are going to do so well! This district has helped us all A LOT, as we have been bearing testimony to each other the whole time. ALSO, most of them are from Utah and actually lived sooo close to us. One of the Hermanas, Hermana Hollingshead, I went to school with her in 9th grade. She went to Timp...(shaking my head) but it’s all good. Love her still. I didn’t realize how much I was gonna love each Elder and Hermana. Everyone has such a sweet spirit here and everybody is here for a reason. IT’S AWESOME!!

OKAYYYY… so this week, I learned a whole lot. In one of the lessons from Hermano Candiani, we talked about Christlike attributes, and how we need to become like Him. It was about "what we do" vs "what we are". Just because we help one person doesn’t mean we can classify ourselves as a helpful person. It’s like this... If you want to be good at soccer, you have to practice every day until being good at soccer is a part of who you are. Then we can classify ourselves as being good at soccer or whatever. This is exactly how we can become like Christ. If we try and try to do things like Christ EVERY SINGLE DAY, then one day, just maybe one day, we could become as perfect as he was.

​Adrian’s brother... I FOUND HIM!

THEN after we got asked the question, "Who do you want to become?” That got me thinking... Who DO I want to become? Do I want to become a good missionary, a good person, a good (hopefully) husband? But you can wake up one morning and suddenly you’re good. You have to work on it. So I’m going to work on being better and becoming the person I want to become and what God wants me to become.

And here's the pic of them 

having Thanksgiving dinner.

OKAY—next story... So I realized today that this is the first Thanksgiving without Josh and I was getting really, really sad. But, of course, God is always on our side because in Tuesday’s night Devotional, it was what I needed. The devotional was awesome! It was from an Elder from the Seventy that, unfortunately, I can’t remember his name right now, but Hermana Bigley later talked about how the Elder bore his testimony of how Jesus Christ was his best companion in the mission field. AND STILL IS. When she said that, it reminded me of the bands we got for Josh’s cancer-- the "NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE!"  And for a long time I always thought that they applied just for Josh and his cancer. But it’s not. It’s for all of us. Those words are a clear reminder for me that I AM NEVER ALONE. If I’m struggling or the person next to you is struggling, we are not alone. We are never alone. Even through our trials, Jesus Christ is right beside us, wishing for us to understand the better plan. Just remember that we have people on the other side cheering for us to make it through. So I know it’s hard not having Josh here, but he´s with grandmas and grandpas, and they are all cheering for us to get through this earthly life and return to them. So if I ever get down or if you guys ever get down, remind me and remind each other that we have people, who love us so much, beside us, cheering us on!

From left to right--Elder Lindsay (such a sick kid), 

Elder Henrie (love this kid) Elder Gunnell, 

Hermana Reynoso (lol I always called her Hermana Reynosa!) 

Hermana Hollingshead (my buddy from school), 

Elder Donkin (my rapper buddy) Elder Orrock (this kid kills me)

and Elder Gonzalez (such a sweet kid)

I love you guys so much! Thank you for being my family. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for supporting me. I’m very thankful for a lot of things, but I’m very thankful to be able to call you guys my FAMILY! I love you with all mi corazon.

-Elder Pukahi

(your favorite child)

This Week Was Way Good!

Another Group Shot with Funny Poses

November 19, 2015

HI, FAMILY!

This week was way good! But let me just say something… Last week was crazy. After I emailed you, my whole district was depressed, and it was weird because EVERYONE is usually happy. So it was a little hard trying to help them and get their spirits up. But GOD CARES ABOUT EACH ONE OF US. We had something.... I don’t remember what it was… but it talked about the reason why we are here, and that we all have talents, and it was everything my district needed to get started again. I’m doing awesome, though.

OKAY, ABOUT MY COMPANIONS—yes, companions! I am now a trio. Since last week an Elder went home (which I mentioned in my last letter), we were blessed with another companion. And it was perfect timing because once we got him, within an hour we had to teach our investigator. It was fun. If one of us didn’t listen to the Spirit and the needs of our investigator, we were toast! But what I learned from this experience was if you just trust in the Lord and really listen for the Spirit, you have done your part.

My companions are Elder McGary (whose going to my mission that I talked about) and Elder De Friez – both from Utah. Elder McGary went to American Fork High School and graduated my year. It is awesome because he knows all the kids I played soccer with. Elder De Friez is from somewhere in Emery County... I think. Lo siento [I’m sorry]. But they are awesome, and we are connecting really well. BUT LET ME JUST SAY-- They love my singing. LOL.

Sundays are the best. I think Jessica was the one that told me that and it’s the truest thing in the world. Just no matter how hard the week is when you get to Sunday, you can just feel the spirit tremendously and all your burdens are lifted away. It’s pretty nice.

So I heard France got bombed?!?!! WHAT?!?!?!

Anyway, I have had an awesome time here in the CCM. Why I say that is because even though the teachers are helping us, we are helping them. Sharing our testimonies every day is the best and it helps each one of us. One of my teachers, Hermana Silva, lost her father two weeks ago, and we only got to chat a little, not very much, but man, I just know we will have an awesome talk. I CAN’T WAIT!

Spanish is coming. It’s hard and easy at the same time (well, CCM Spanish. LOL.) I know it’s nothing compared to the field, but hey, at least I’m learning. It’s awesome because when you have the Spirit, it brings everything unto your remembrance and it totally helps with memorization.

There’s so much to say but so little time… I love each and every one of you.

WAIT… one more thing. The best chocolate candy things in the world are called "buenos". Coleson, Carlton, Cody, do you know what they are?!?!  Oh, and Coleson, there’s all these maestros [teachers] who know you because you served in their ward and they remember you. They say I act and look sort of like you so I’m taking that as a good thing.... right? LOL

Oh, and Adrian, I found your brother but every time we see each other, neither one of us has our camera. So I promise I will get one before he leaves on Monday!

Love you, family!

De su favorito hijo,

Elder Pukahi

p.s. Everyone loves my middle name-- thanks padres!

The Gospel Is True!

Personas from left to right. Elder Horne, Elder Oakeson (literally my twin), Elder De Friez (My new compañero), Hermana Carlson, Hermana Bigley, Hermana Nielson, Hermana Lange, Elder Clawson, MEEEEEEEE, Elder McGary (Mi compañero)

November 12, 2015

Mexico MTC WEEK 1

Dear Mom! Family!,

The Gospel is true! Here at the CCM (Mexico MTC), the Espirtu Santo is so strong. I have much to say in so little time.

First things first…MEXICO IS SICKKKKK! The bus ride over to the MTC was coooool. The people are very interesting, and Mexico City is ALWAYS PARTYING but I love everyone here at the CCM and mi maestros. They all live here in Mexico City and are very strong in the gospel and help me so much.

The first couple days were hard, but they were totally worth it. We taught an investigator on our 2nd day here in Spanish. That was so hard! But I have realized if you have the Spirit with you, and if the investigator can feel it, it doesn’t matter how much Spanish you know. You can still communicate and share what that investigator needs to hear.

BUT LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT SUNDAYS… I don’t think I have ever been so happy to have a Sunday—the Spirit is so strong, and it helps reassure you why you are out here, serving a mission.

Elder McGary

Now about my District and mi compañero… Mi compañero is Elder McGary. He was actually my first amigo off the plane from SLC to LAX. I walked off the plane, and he was right next to me. Of course, all of us were a little awkward and all because we’re new missionaries… lol. But guess what? HE´S GOING TO REYNOSA. The very first person I meet off the plane is going to my mission, and when it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be...am I right?!?!?!  Me and him get along so well – esta perfecto!

My district is THE BEST!  Everyone has such a sweet spirit and is so kind and loving. I literally call them mi familia. But quick story…This last Tuesday we had a devotional from Elder Reyes of the Area of the Seventy. He talked about Zion and how we, as missionaries, have to be worthy, and we have to be one in everything we do. Then later that day, we have devotional review, which is when we just talk about the devotional and talk about whatever the Spirit leads us. So during the devotional review, we talked about everything, and what truly hit me was that we – as a companionship, as a district, as a zone, as a MTC, and as a family – need to be "as one heart and as one mind". If we can be as one heart and one mind, then we can all stop focusing on ourselves and be like our Savior and put all our time and effort to build Zion! I can promise you guys, I am trying my hardest and with all my heart to be what God needs me to be!

My district LOVES ME… lol…jk. I probably annoy them because I’m singing all the time and say "LO TENEMOS" all the time…but I love them with all my heart. AND let me tell you, I have never cried so much until the CCM. It’s not because I’m sad or overwhelmed, even though at times I really am. It’s because the Spirit is very strong, and you just want to share your testimony with everyone. I literally say I Love You so much to everyone that everyone is getting sick of me.

But… today is SAD, one of our Elders went home today—Elder C. It’s like a part of my heart and our family is being ripped out from us. But we know that it is the right thing to do. I have so much respect for him, and I love him with all my heart. Elder C is so courageous and special to me. BUT REMEMBER, YOU HAVE TO BE WORTHY AND READY TO SERVE A MISSION. That’s all I can say. The Spirit is so strong and if you don’t have the spirit with you, you will feel like you’re literally drowning and the only way to survive is to Look Towards Christ.

The language is coming. It’s hard because all I think in right now is Spanish. So typing right now was really hard. I am so thankful for the gift of tongues and how the Spirit will bring things unto remembrance. I have tons way to go, but I know if you just put your whole faith and trust in the Lord, HE WILL PROVIDE!

I wish I could write more but I gotta go play some fútbol!!!  WOOOOOOOOOO!

I love you guys so much. I love everyone here in the CCM. I love GOD and ALL he has given me. Please thank him every day for the many blessings you have!

From your favorite son, brother, and everything possibly imaginable,

Elder Pukahi