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 

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

She Is Kind Of Crazy!

July 20, 2014

(Sister Pukahi – Wrote home in a letter and here is a portion of it.)

Violeta, my crazy, fun investigator

"She is kind of crazy but she is seriously so awesome!  I can't describe it. She is one of our investigators---and she became one by coming to church...on her own by just showing up. Her brother is a member and currently on a mission in Spain. He has been telling her to go to church for a while, but she, of course, was like, "whatever" but then finally she went!  Which was the Sunday before I arrived here and now we are teaching her. She has two adorable kids and is sort of living with a 70-something year old man...but we are going to baptize her -- I KNOW!"

All My Roommates

My Zone

This Week Was Fun!

July 14, 2014

Holaa! Family & Friends,

This week was fun!  We had this ward party for Argentina’s Independence Day, which happened to be on the semifinal game day too.  Anyways, it was a lot of fun. We ate empanadas and a bunch of pastries.  yuumm.  I could talk with the members with the ward and actually have real conversations.  Everyone is so awesome and so welcoming.  They definitely have a lot of patience with me, but they love to try to talk English. It’s great.

Meeting the members in the ward has been really fun.  I’ve gotten to the point where I just say I’m from Hawaii.  I’d say I’m from Utah...and then they just are like, wait? Why do you look like that?  Then they just want to know where my family is from so it makes sense. So to make things easier...I just say Hawaii haha.  Well literally EVERY time I say Hawaii, they say -- ohhh Hawaii! How pretty! ohh like hula! --- Then they dance literally every time and I love it.

Street contacting is a different story.  I’m really good at approaching people and starting the conversations, but a lot of people talk way fast and have a thick accent. So, that’s when my companion finishes the rest.  I’ve gotten really good at posing and smiling.  You know like the wheel of fortune girl.  I laugh when they laugh, point at my tag when I need to, and I say "Si" a lot.  Hopefully I’ll be saying good-bye to that girl soon though because I really want to understand what people are saying!

Words of wisdom for this week:

Remember that we are all in this together.

Heavenly Father has a plan for us.

But you gotta getcha getcha head in the game.

Only with Jesus Christ can we bop bop to the top.

Then, we’ll be soaring, flying. There is not a star in heaven we cannot reach.

-- Always for you Jerm!!! -- haha

I love you all!! Read the section faith in Jesus Christ in the true to the faith week.

Mucho Amor,

Hermana Pukahi

Prayers for Josh!!!

Hola From ARGENTINA!!!! I Am In BALCARCE!!!

July 7, 2014

Balcarce!!
It's been raining but it's fun!

Dear Family & Friends,

Hola from ARGENTINA!!!! I am in BALCARCE!!!

I’m finally here!! wut wut.  Ahh crazzy. Okay so I still can't believe I'm here.  This past week has been quite a week.  I think. haha So I'm gonna give you all the low down of what's been happening since I talked to ya last.  So so so...

Our last Sunday together
with Branch President

I made leis for my MTC family
I love them all!

The volleyball crew!
Bump, Set, Spike

Basically Sunday was the last day that the good ole CCM.  We said goodbye to all the kids in our Zone and the other supes fun peoples there.  Weird.  I was kinda super sad after saying goodbye.  haha I mean.  I don't really even know much about them -- BUT I still care for them.  And it was like this:  Well we had GREAT times...good luck! See ya! (But honestly...probs not..) It was that type of thing. Wait, does that make sense?

Saying Goodbyes

Okay anyways...after that shindig and packing like crazy the rest of the night.  We woke up, had an adventure of trying to get 19 people to the airport on the Trax.  Then got there and I TALKED TO YOU GUYS ON THE PHONE.  Did you love hearing my weird voice? Did I sound normal? Cuz I loved hearing your voices!! It made me so happy x 50,000. Yep like Pharrell Williams happy.  So yeah.  Wait, JOSH HOW ARE YOU? Can you please write me. Pleassee. Are you at home now?

On the plane with my missionary crew

Okay but really I loved it muchisimo!  Okay so then we got on the plane to ATL, and I spilt my Cafe Rio sauce ALL over the Elder sitting next to me.....uhh..yeah.  hahaha, okay not funny.  Then we landed in the Georgia and had that layover.  Well I didn’t tell you this on the phone, but I gave out my first Book of Mormon there!!!!! Actually, un libro de mormon!!!  Okay here is the really fast story:

So we helped this lady go get some food. This older lady, who we found out was 91 (wait I think that's what she said), was going on the same flight as us. She was going to Argentina Buenos Aires where she lives.  So we talked with her in CASTELLANO!! Yeah...#prettycool.  Okay so she was in a wheel chair so we wheeled her over to the food places and we talked about our lives and what not.  Talked about our beliefs. Oh she is awesome!! Then she said reading books is her passion...so I was like; oh we have a book that we would love to give to you!! haha *hint hint*  She gave us all her contact info and stuff, and then we basically just hung out with her the whole time, buying perfume, and then she bought us ice cream! Yeah she rocks.  Then I gave her the LDM.  Then by that time it was time to board! Her name is Luly. Oh she is so lovely. I hope this story makes sense.

Okay after landing in Buenos Aires airport this is what happened:

• We went to the temple and stayed there for a little bit, ate empanadas, took naps.
• Then went to an airport to go to our separate missions.
• Had to say good bye to my compañera . :( :´(...supes sad!!! and goodbye to the rest of my family who weren’t going to my mission. :((( 

My CCM Districe

• Made it on the plane to Bahia Blanca, landed, and met our Mission Presidents!!
• Went to the church, ate, then went to the presidents house to spend the night. (Their house is beautiful).
• Woke up, went to the church for this orientation thing, said goodbye to the rest of the family, then went to this house just for the night again.  But when I got there it was only 4:00 PM so we went out and worked. I went with a Hermana contacting!! It was fun! I have no idea what the people are saying...but still fun!
• Woke up the next morning, rode 8 hours in a bus to Mar Del Plata, then got there and met the Zone Leaders.  Then they sent me on another bus for one hour to my area.  And now I am here!!!! Balcarce!!!!

Mi y mi companera
Hermana Tovar

Okay that was way too long of a story...basically I love the people here already!! Everyone is so nice and caring. Most of the time, I don’t know what there saying, but hey--I can feel their spirit and their love for me.  My companion’s name is Hermana Tovar.  She is awesome.  I love her! She is from El Salvador.  I have only been with her for 4 days, but she has already helped me with so much.  Sorry this letter was full of random things that probs don’t really make sense...but know that I’m doing great!! I’ll eventually understand what’s going on right? haha

I love you family!! Please tell me everything you’ve been up to!!

Hermana Pukahi

LAST WEEK!!!! IM HEADED TO ARGENTINA!!!

June 28, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

All right family this is my last email from the States!!! I will soon be in ARGENTINA!!! ahhhhhh!!!  We, We, We so excited. We so excited!! (Jerm that's for you)  

Well, a lot of great things happened this week. Sunday we got to listen to Sister Janice Kapp Perry. Yes, THE super famous lady in the LDS world, who wrote all those awesome primary songs! She is so awesome!! This devotional was the best devotional I have ever gone to. Well... besides the ones with the apostles...cuz those rocked!  But let me tell you how this devotional started out really well. She started telling us the story of how her and her husband met.  This is how it went:  She had been noticing this blonde RM who had been in several of her classes. He hadn't noticed her, so she decided she wasn't interested. Well...one day she was sitting in her clarinet class, getting ready for a music final. She was busy softening her reed with her lips when she felt a tap on her shoulder.  She turned around, noticed it was the RM, and said, "What do you want?"  He looks at her, smiles, and says, "Those lips look like they can be used for so much more." Hahahahaha!!  And then, listen to this. Her husband now in the devotional room, goes up to her while she's talking to us, and gives her a HUGE smack on her lips right in front of all of us missionaries!! Then he brings his fist into the air, and everyone cheers. It was the funniest thing ever!! hahaha!! Everyone surely paid attention after that.

BUT, that honestly wasn't the best part of the devotional. First, was when she said this, "There will come a time on you mission [or in life] where you will feel like you can't breathe.  Turn to Christ. Turn to Heavenly Father.  He is listening." And then we started singing, A Child's Prayer.  Oh, my goodness--what a special feeling!  We continued to sing the other primary songs that she wrote like: I Love to See the Temple, and Love is Spoken Here. It was a wonderful experience to be singing these songs that I had grown up with. These songs helped me during some hard times in my life. And I was at this moment, singing these beautiful songs with the writer, and with 500 other missionaries!!  Holy Cow!  BUT WAIT, the most perfect and best part was when we stood up and all the Sisters sang the new version of As Sisters in Zion. (The version where she wrote it to suit missionaries) And then all the Elders sang We are as the Army of Helaman. Words can't describe the beautiful feeling I had.  I just stood there, singing at the top of my lungs, arm and arm with my companion, tears streaming down my face. Oh, Wowwie, so AWESOME!!  It was truly a precious night.  

And then Tuesday came along, and we got to see SIX apostles!!! (Oaks, Bednar, Andersen, Ballard, Nielsen, and Christofferson)  It was Christofferson that talked to us, and I wish I could write more of what he talked to us about. But what stuck out to me the most was the number of times he said the word CHANGE.  As a missionary, we change a lot. We have that ability to change. And I was thinking what a blessing that is.  I have the ability to repent every day. I know I can change every day.  Through Jesus Christ, I can become like Him. "You are nothing in this work without Christ."

This week went by super, super, super fast, and I can't believe the time has already come for Argentina, Babbyy! I have learned so much from each person that has crossed my path here at the MTC. I love my companion, and I am SO SAD that I have to say goodbye to her. I love my District and my new Zone. What a blessing to have met these wonderful people. The CCM--I gotta say, it surely wasn't easy here.  BUT this means I am learning and growing.  I'm so excited for more hard things to come and more learning experiences to happen!! I know I surely can't get through them without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my Rock and my foundation.  He is my Best Friend and Brother.  (Helaman 5:12)

I know this church is true with all my heart.  I'm so excited for my mission in Argentina to officially commence. This is real life. What a blessing it is to be called as a missionary for My loving Heavenly Father. I know I am a daughter of God.  I love Him, and I know He loves me.  

Much Mahalos for everything Family!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you!!!!

Hermana Pukahi

Elder Evans selfie pic of the Zone

I Love These People!

Our last goodbye with Hermano Mace

Waiting at the bus stop

Our last District pic at the Temple

Saying goodbye to Sister T

This is Olga

This is Mercedes...I love her!
One of our investigators

I am so buff

We are always laughing

NINE Days Left Here At The CCM!!!

June 21, 2014

We had to say goodbye to these Sisters.

Dear Family & Friends,

I have NINE days left here at the CCM!! craazzzyy!  Yesterday we got our travel plans, which made everything feel all of a sudden so real.  We ARE actually going to Argentina baby!! (Speaking of which...Argentina just won sooooo I'll be there during the world cup!! woot woot) Anyways, receiving them made me and my companion super excited...and then super sad.  It hit us all of a sudden. Wait we are actually leaving this place? AND leave each other.  So we definitely acted like girls for those moments of...happy and then sad and then happy again.  haha oh well!  It's crazy how much I've grown to truly love this place.  Which is sort of weird right cuz everyone who gets back from his or her mission NEVER talks about the MTC...but this place rocks!!  We don't have to worry about making food, they give us allowance every week, they GIVE us investigators, everyone is so nice, we can ALWAYS feel the spirit, plus bonuses: we get to see an apostle basically every week! What is there not to love?  

With the new Hermanas in our Zone.

This week we got to see Elder M. Russel Ballard.  That was cool! He came in with his cute, little wife and talked to us about.... wait for it...missionary work!! Haha, My favorite part was where he said, "stay anchored to the doctrine of Christ." and "The Savior has the words of Eternal Life."    Especially as a missionary, we need to stay anchored to the foundation--the simple and clear message.  Faith in Jesus Christ is our very first step.  It is our Foundation. Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost--all the doctrine of Christ.  It's like those videos on the plane, (the information one's where we basically have them memorized hahaha).  We need to put our own breathing mask on, BEFORE helping others. We have to be anchored to that foundation, that doctrine before we can truly help others. 

Fun in the rain.

We also got to hear from Sherri Dew, which was pretty cool last Sunday! That was wonderful as well!! She talked about Grace --> the power of God.  She is an awesome Lady. The rest of this week was fun too! We are finished teaching Olga and we got her to read The Book of Mormon!! That was a huge step so yes. I had a great week! I learned a lot and we got our new missionaries in our zone!! 14 newbie’s :).  They are a lot of fun and hopefully I'll get to know them before I leave...ahhhhh so soon! 

Sister Tu'aukalau's last Saturday with me.
She's leaving for Lubbick, TX next week.

Okay sooo I leave on June 30th!! We head for the airport at 6:00 that morning to catch our flight to Atlanta at 11:00.  Then, at 9:10 P.M. Monday night we leave to Buenos Aires, an 11-hour flight!!! Good thing its over night and I'm good at sleeping on planes. Thanks dad!! I've got lots of experience, hahah.  Well I love youuuu!!!

Love,

Hermana Pukahi

Sister Wooley and I are twins. 

I asked my brother, Jeremy, to take Sister Wooley's sister,
Kristen, out on a date (they know each other.)  And put
together a care package for me and Sister Wooley.
The gave us matching dolls - we loved them!
We are for sure going to put badges on them.  An our
District loved the rest of the goodies they put in, too!

Sister Julia Morris & Sister Jessica Pukahi

Our District at Church

There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today!

Week #3 – Saturday, June 7, 2014

Laundry Time

TENGO GOZO EN MI ALMA HOY!!!  

"There is sunshine in my soul today!”  That is the perfect title to this last week!  Also, it's the only song we all know how to sing in Spanish.  So.....we sing it ALOT.  Well, actually just THAT line. Sooooo...all the elders are really annoyed with it.  But I can't help but sing it when there's sunshine bursting out of my soul!!  Ha, ha

I forgot to tell you that last week’s devotional was with Elder Nielsen from the Quorum of the Twelve!!  :) So that was pretty cool!  We were hoping and hoping that we'd see another apostle, but it didn't happen this week. Crossing my fingers for the next! It's still a-okay because after Sunday devotionals, we get to watch some old movies or talks. These last two weeks, I was able to see two AMAZING talks by Elder Bednar.  Boy, that man is certainly an apostle called of God.  He is awesome!

Well, I know school is out....scream and shout, finally Summer’s here...ha, ha (Jeremy I knew you'd love a little of that HSM.)  So, I have some homework for you folks. See if you can find "The Character of Christ" talk by Elder Bednar.  I'm not sure if you can even find it because it might just be for the MTC, but if you do find it, write me and let's talk about it. This talk is honestly life changing.  And I'm not kidding.  So good!! :)  

Highlight of my week was hosting for the new missionaries coming in on Wednesday. Oh, that was fun! The best part was that I got to host Kayleigh Hill…oops, I mean Hermana Hill!  We played soccer and lacrosse together, so seeing her was the BEST.  I got to show her the ropes and all that… so that was lovely.  

Earlier that day was sort of weird.  My compañera had to go to the doctor with another Hermana, so I was without her for almost 4 hours. Doesn't seem that long at all, but it felt like forever!!! I guess since being 24/7 with her, and then being without her, makes me feel like a part of me is missing.  Yeah, weird…ha, ha but honestly, I've grown to love each of these Hermanas and Elders so much.  It's crazy how the gospel can truly bring people together.  We bear our testimonies to each other so much, and I was thinking…that must be it--why we are so close.  Like you know after Girl’s Camp or Youth Conference when we bear testimonies to one another and after the meeting, it's like we feel so much closer and united. It's like that but every single day. Okay, maybe that sounds cheesy, but I love it!  I think it's so true.  I think sharing the gospel and what you believe brings the spirit and love.  It's wonderful.  So I challenge each of you to share your testimony to a loved one.  It doesn't have to be Fast Sunday, you can share your testimony whenever. Then write me about it because I'd love to hear.  :)  

We Love P-Days

The District At Burger Supreme

Also, I think my district is starting to not take me so seriously anymore.  I'm just being too sarcastic. OH, NO! I'm turning into Dad....ha, ha!  It also doesn't help that I am super short.  I don't know where all these tall people came from!!??  Honestly, everyone must've eaten one of Jack's beans and grown so tall because sometimes I feel like an ant.  But hey, it's okay, because guess what?  Tengo gozo en mi alma hoy!  Ha,ha!

Having Fun In Class

Okay, one more highlight of the week.  On Sunday, during our devotional, we sang "Called to Serve." Hermana Nally (MTC Relief Society President) made an arrangement where it grew louder and louder. Oh, I don’t know how to explain it, but it was so awesome and such a happy feeling.  It was like on a warm Summer night, playing outside barefoot. It's at the time of day where the sun has set, still a little light out, but you can start to see the stars begin to shine. (I know, I'm a poet – ha, ha) It's kind of like that feeling, where you're just so happy and content.  It was a perfect night.  

I'm so proud to be part of this missionary work. I just can't wait to go to Argentina!! 

Love,

Hermana Pukahi

Hermano Mace, Hermana Pukahi and Hermana Morris
"This is a picture with Hermano Mace one of my teachers...
he was like Javier...he acted like an investigator at first!!
He fooled us..."

Our other teacher, Hermana Valdez,
Hermana Morris and Hermana Pukahi

Bus-on way to devotional - being silly

Another picture on Bus-on way to devotional.

Funny picture at the Temple

Our Whole Zone - which consists of my District
and another District of just girls.  All of them are going
to Argentina except for Hermana Tu'aukalau who is
going to Lubbick, Texas.