This Week Was Full Of Adventures

August 25, 2014

Hermana Pukahi, Hermana Nelson,
Hermana Hadley, Hermana Burgos.
All of us with our plaques.
It was a beautiful day and so fun.

Holllaaa!! This week was full of adventures. I took another trip to Bahía Blanca, but this time for my Visa!  At first I was kind of mad because we had a lot of appointments set and its a crazy long trip, buutt it was a lot of fun.  Hermana Nelson and I went together, but I took care of all the papers and stuff with a bunch of other missionaries, as she went and worked there in Bahía.  As all of us were all waiting in the visa office place-- talking about are lives, some sleeping, and then I realized...I brought my cards! I took out those bible cards that Jerm and Kristen gave to me and we all started playing Gold Fish and Old Maid. It was a lot of fun! Especially since we were all super tired, and competitive.  The ladies at that worked in the office LOVED the cards and they were like, wow where can I buy some for us? So I guess these cards are a craze down here haha.  

Well finally that got all taken care of and after a super long trip back home on the collectivo with some crazy Elders, we made it back safely...and very tired.  BUT the highlight of the week was this last pday!! It was a beautiful day and we went to this park/hill with one of my favorite Hermanas from the ward.  

At the park sign.

It was a lot of fun because everyone was outside and enjoying almost a Summer’s day in the middle of winter.  We had a little picnic and -- of course-- took tons of pictures. We got to do a little exploring in the hill and (I will show you a picture next week but I became mulan and sat on a pole!!)

Oh and I almost forgot, we had a big Zone Conference in Mar del Plata where Presidente, his wife, and the assistants came and talked to us.  Everything I learned was just what I needed to hear.  I know he is truly a man called of God.  

Hermana Nelson is awesome! 

I'm so grateful for her.  

She is an example to me in everyway   

AND she laughs at my jokes. haha 

I forgot my journal, so I can't remember a whole lot of what he said, but my favorite part was when we talked about our purpose here as a missionary.  It helped me to truly realize my purpose here, why I am here on a mission.  It made me think of you guys, my family.  Always remember your purpose here on the earth.  You are sons and daughters of God.  Remember you are here to learn and grow. Don't Forget. :)

I love you all so much!! Please tell me what's been going on with everyone! 

Hermana Pukahi

P.S.  I'm 3 now!!! It's already been 3 months!

I Got To Eat Peanut Butter!!!

August 18, 2014

Hermana Pukahi & Nelson

Hola Family & Friends,

I´ll start out with the highlight of my week.  I got to eat peanut butter!!! I know it's only been a couple months but that is just way too long.  The members are wonderful and they shared with us because they knew we'd go crazy over it. Haha US North Americans have our peanut butter and they have their dulce de leche (caramel).

Well this last week started out kind of hard.  My new companion came and I had to show her the ropes of Balcarce...but that's the problem. I'm new here too, so I don't know much! Also, our investigators were dropping, so it was hard at the beginning.  But we finally found some people to teach and the people here in Balcarce are awesome! Haha and then Sometimes that's the problem.  They are super nice and love talking with us.  Argentines LOVE to talk.  They tell us EVERYTHING. Then when we ask them if we can visit them later there like, no thanks chicas (girls). Haha...boy oh boy.  Solo quiero bautizarte!! (I just want to baptize.) 

I really understand the language. It’s really great. I finally feel like I can actually help my investigators and the people here.  The only problem is when they do talk to us a lot; it's hard for me to translate everything that fast. One day I'll get there. I know I just got to stay positive :)  

Although the work this week was a little difficult, I knew I was in the Lord's hands. I've learned to follow the spirit and truly let the spirit be my guide. It's such a wonderful experience to be a servant for the Lord.  I love it! 

I love you all! Kisses and Hugs to you all!  

Hermana Pukahi 

My First Transfer Flew By

August 11, 2014

Holaaa!!!

I can't believe it! My first transfer flew by!! Ahhh craazzyy! Well, my mom left me..... Hermana Tovar got transferred :( to be the sister missionary training leader....buuttt she's still in my Zone! So I get to see her every week.... BUT we are not compañeras :( So I'm super sad about that. Ohhh está, todo bien! Because my new mom came today. Her name is Hermana Nelson from Connecticut and she's super awesome. Though this also means I have to put my big girl skirt on now and show my new mom around Balcarce...so basically...we are gonna get lost. But hey hey it's okay! That means we are gonna use the spirit as our guide :)  

Well this week was...like Tony...GRRREAAT!  Haha so I bought an ukulele! It's been fun playing it and Hermana Tovar and I made up some great songs. (Once I figure out how to send videos, I'll send you them!) Well, we had a little Kumbayah saying goodbye to some of the missionaries finishing the mission in our zone.  My companion and I decided to sing Aloha Oe' for those missionaries, but we changed the second verse to Spanish.  It sounded really cool.  We practiced a little bit and got all ready... then we had to perform.  We got up in front, and EVERY SINGLE missionary got their camera out to record.  At first I was like, woowww we are like super stars right now...uhh but then we got super nervous.  Oh booyyy it was a disaster!! Hhaha I know after we finished, for sure everyone erased that recording… Haha.

Yesterday we had 7 of our investigators in the capilla!! Oh my there are great things here in Balcarce!  The members here are awesome and I'm really feeling at home here.  It's so good to hear from all of you!! I love you! I feel so grateful for all the support :).  I hope you all have a wonderful week!! 

Hermana Pukahi 

It Was Great To Talk With You On Thursday

Celebrating Christmas!!!
July 25... Christmas in July

August 4, 2014

Hollaa Familia & Friends,

Well after I got to talk to you all on Thursday we headed to Bahía Blanca because my compañera had to take care of some visa stuff.  We rode all through the night and got to the mission office the next morning.  We did a companionship exchange with another Hermana as my companion went to take care of her visa.  I worked with Hermana Mancuello, from Paraguay, there in Bahía for most of the day.  I had a blast working in a different area, talking with different people and learning how to work with someone else.  In just the little time we were with each other, I learned so much from her.  She didn't know any English...soooo hey what a wonderful kind of day!

I was surprised of how much energy I had. I was like a little kid on Halloween night. Haha I just loved talking to everyone and meeting all these new missionaries and people.  But now that I think of it--it was truly a blessing from my Heavenly Father.  I could just be happy and focus on the work. 

I wanna be honest though. When my companion and I returned to Balcarce, it was hard.  It has been hard to think about Josh and to think about home.  But I truly know my companion and I were called together for a reason.  She has been through a lot and truly understands.  She is a true blessing and has helped me focus and work hard.  We also were in charge of an YSA activity on Saturday and taught in Relief Society yesterday, which helped and was a lot of fun!

For the YSA we did a FHE.  We taught a little bit of a lesson, then played ping-pong and this Spanish board game.  I wanna share a little bit of what we taught. Based off of a talk of Elder Christofferson, (it's in Spanish...so I don't know remember the title) "It is necessary that my people are tested in all things, so that they are prepared to receive the glory...the glory of Zion.... Celestial Glory."  To enter the celestial Kingdom is not easy.  Every part of us is tested and we knew this in the pre-mortal life.  Life surely is not easy, but I know that it is worth it.  I know that God has perfect timing, and what better way can I bless all of you than be on a mission. 

It was great to hear all of your voices and finally know what is going on. Each of you are in my prayers.  Please continue to keep me updated on EVERYTHING, cuz I don't wanna miss a thing.  

Love you!!

Hermana Pukahi

I Can't Believe It, I am 2 Now!

July 28, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

Hollaa!! I can't believe it, I am 2 now! It's already been two months...well only one month in Argentina.  But already another p-day.

This week I thought it was starting to get warm and then all of a sudden rain, and then back to sun, and then rain again.  Basically the weather here is bi-polar.  Exactly like Utah so hey! I'm not too far from home! Haha

There are some things here and there that remind me of Utah -- like how there are dogs EVERYWHERE, it's like I'm back at the animal shelter.  Except that these dogs are crazy.  They all love to go right up to the tires of cars and bark at them.  They love it, but it’s dangerous business because Argentines are even crazier drivers, soooo we see a lot of dogs get run over.... so I hate that!  But all dogs go to heaven, right?

This week my mission president came and visited our zone.  While we were each interviewed, Hna Parreño (his wife) talked to us.  What I understood, was wonderful and I really appreciate what she said.  She talked to us based on the talk by Elder Christofferson, "The Perception of the Sacred."  This talk is incredible and talks about our perception and our regard to sacred things.  He says it, straight to the point, "if you don't regard the sacred things, you will lose."  (Something like that...cuz I received it in Spanish)  He goes on to talk about -- if we had the plates, the plates of Mormon and the scrolls of Moses, in our hands.  We would all be very careful with them.  Put them in a special place, protected and treat it with the utmost respect. Right? 

Of course, the major value of these objects isn't of themselves; it's in the words that these object contain like their content, the words of the prophets.  We don't have these original plates and scrolls in our actual hands, but we have the words.  The words of God.  This is very serious.  And these words, these books, are sacred. 

Hna Parreño also went on to talk about the sacredness of our bodies. The temples of God.  She was very direct on tattoos and our appearance and at first I was taken back on why she was going into such detail about these things.... but after planning lessons for our investigators specifically about this subject, I now understand.  I have Christ's name on me at all times.  I am a representative of Christ more than ever in my life.  But, I also have been a representative since I became a member of this church at age 8.  I took upon me His name.  How I act, how I look, how I treat others. Everything as being a member of the church of JESUS CHRIST is about Him.  What an honor, and how sacred is this knowledge.  Remember that you always represent Christ in everything you do.  Satan is real, but hold onto that iron rod!

Like mom always says to us...when I obey I am happy all day.  I really worked on obedience this week and God truly blesses the obedient.  We found 3 big, wonderful families this past week -- all over the age of 8!! And we had SEVEN investigators at church yesterday!! Wow! What a beautiful week with amazing experiences. I love, love, love it! So happy see ----> :D this is a big smile and hug for all of you. I love you so much...more than this dulce de leche stuff they have here. Haha

Much mahalos for all the support!!

Con amor,

Hermana Pukahi