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

We Got Out Of The Walls Of The CCM!

"I convinced the hermano to let me ride it. IT WAS SOOO COOOL!"

December 2, 2015

Hola, Family & Friends!!

Okay, so today we got out of the walls of the CCM! It was for immigration stuff AND Mexico City is HUGE!!!!!! The people are nice, and it’s so fun talking with people, even with my really, really broken Español. lol. And because we went to the city, I do not have much time, so today’s email will have to be short. Plus, I get to go play some Latinos in soccer!

But this week has been awesome… Remember how I said God makes it happen so whatever you need he supplies. It’s verdad [true]! The devotional this Tuesday was a devotional from Elder Bednar like from four years ago. Not really sure when but he was talking to people before the age change happened. But that’s not really important… He talked about what we can learn from Christ--not about Christ. And what he means is that Christ through his whole life, through everything he did, he NEVER looked inward. HE ALWAYS LOOKED OUTWARD. No matter what it was—to help, to care, to love the people that hated him. No matter what he did, he still loved. For example, at the time when Judas betrayed him and Peter cut off the guard’s ear. Jesus, knowing he was going to die, even after suffering for all our sins having no strength left, HE HEALED THAT GUARD’S EAR! He is the perfect example.

It got me thinking – WHO am I? Am I the person who only cares for himself? Or in the time when I am most needed will I care more for the person next to me than myself?

This reminded me a lot of Mothers—especially you, Mom. Mothers will do anything—ANYTHING for their children. I remember so many times, Mom, when you were having one of your major headaches and wasn’t feeling good at all, but when I needed you, YOU would get out of bed to help me with something I COULD HAVE definitely done on my own. SO THANK YOU! I could never repay you for what you’ve done in my life. I wish everybody knew that I HAD THE BEST MOM! Thank you, thank you!!

But this is what I want to leave you guys with. Who are we going to be? No matter what we do, we can’t decide today that we are who we are. BUT today we can decide who we want to become.

I love this Gospel soooo much. It’s crazy how much God is in our lives. I remember in Sunday School, Brother Ward told us 4th Ward wardies to write in our journal every day where we could see God has had a hand in. DO IT! Because then, you will realize how much we are NOTHING without our Father above.

I love you, family! I love everyone!!!

- Elder Pukahi

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!