Sunday, December 13, 2015

This week honestly flew by!

Malo Soifua Aiga!


Thanks to the primary for tracing their hands for Gator's Christmas tree


Well I am still pretty amazed that it is already Monday because this week honestly flew by! Needless to say it was a good week :) I faitai'd my legs on the table. and we just did a bunch of exchanges with kids preparing for their missions and just worked hard. It was awesome :)

I also got your boxes so thank you (the shoes were greatly appreciated) #tala'imalosi 


All is going well here not really any of an update. We have two investigators with baptismal dates for the 26th this month so we are pretty stoked. 

Oh and the most random thing but I found a cactus here....I was pretty impressed haha.



Glad to hear that everything went well with the Nativity Scene. Great job mom! That's gotta feel good :) 

Congrats for Tyson also that is so cool, I can't wait for when he gets his call. :)  

I will call on the 26th here so it'll be Christmas day there. We are going to be singing in front of the government building for the valu aso program (tell Amy and Bro Schwenke) and then on the 25th we are re-building a school and having a bbq with the village.

That's all for this week, but I love you all so much! 
Alofa tele atu outou!
Elder Hunter

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Pretty large storm here

Monday, November 23, 2015

Don't worry, I won

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Well it has been a pretty long week, sorry no long report. I am now in a triple again. 


my new hat that my friend Herbert gave me. He plays for the Toa Samoa the rugby league team here :)
My new companion's name is Elder Tauiliili. He is a native and a brand new missionary. He is waiting for his visa to go to Papa New Guinea....I already told him that I'd see him in the next life haha. 

Anyway, a funny for the week is that I got in this argument with a 9-year-old. (Don't worry, I won :) ) haha he asked what school I graduated from Pesega or Vaimoso (schools here in Samoa). I told him that I was from America but he would not believe me. Granted I was saying in it Samoan, but it was just crack up because he was like "no you're from Samoa!" A little confidence boost for my Samoan haha. 

Well Thanksgiving is coming up and I am super stoked because miraculously I found instant mashed potato mix at Frankie's store so I will have somewhat of a Thanksgiving here :) But I willl give that update next week.  
I hope you all have a great week and know that you are all dearly missed. 

Alofa Atu,
Elder Hunter

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Malo Soifua


Malo Soifua Aiga!

Sorry but this week's is a short one. I have had the flu all week so I basically just layed around. It was pretty boring actually.  Just the flu, but my ear is like way clogged right now so I think I might have gotten a sinus infection.  Im fine btw so is my comp. the area is a little slow, but completely safe.

Anyway that's about it. Interesting side note though. Apparently the boxes sent to Tutuila have been making there way over here to Upolu so it may be worth trying sending one to the old address. Just saying :)  I feel plenty of support and I don't need a ton of boxes, they are soo expensive to send. 
I really have enjoyed learning to work with less stuff.

That's all for this week, I hope you all have a great week :)

Alofa Atu,
Elder Hunter

Friday, November 13, 2015

My Joke

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Sorry but I really don't have much of an update this week.

It was really busy with our Zone Conference. 
Anyways, all is going well here, I'm still just trying to get used to the area and find new investigators.

We have a Family Home Evening tonight with a part member family so that'll be fun. They are all members except for the parents, so we are really working with them.

Oh funny story, our ward mission leader asked my companion and I to give talks on Sunday. But when Saturday came they changed the program because they had an RM from Australia give her talk. We were laughing because the topic of our talks were, "Why to get married, and why to start a family."....Needless to say, our ward really wants us to get married right when we get home. Especially my comp who has 2 months left hahaha. I was kinda bummed because I had prepared a joke for the talk, I was going to say, "Jane (the Rm), just be patient, my comp only has 2 more months left." hahaha  Anyway, I just thought I share my joke with you all. 

By the way, Elder Anderson from my intake just re-opened Manu'a. It has been closed since like 2006. Tell Auntie Amy because I know she had wanted me to serve there, so it may be an option later in my mission, but who knows
Samoa!

I hope you all have a great week.

Alofa Atu,
Elder Hunter

ps  if Thayne does do HEFY I know where he will stay, it is in my area, and I know that owners they are in my ward. I told them to look for a tall Fijian ha ha ha

Sunday, November 1, 2015

#working hard

Monday, October 26, 2015

Round two of the Samoan Primary Program.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Transferred to Lotopa

Sunday, October 11, 2015

"I Do number two"

Malo Soifua Aiga!
Well...this week has been a little bit longer than hoped for. The whole no emailing thing last week didn't exactly help. Someone in our ward used all of the internet so I am lucky to have it this week and may not even have it next week. Just a heads up.  I'm using a members computer. I got permission from President--no worries.
It has been ridiculous trying to email

Any way it sounds like you all have had a great time on vacation.(I'm not jealous that you went to an SEC game...) Here is the update:

-At the moment we have 4 baptisms scheduled for this week. Three of which are in the family of Tiki Masina, our recent convert. They are some of my favorite people ever! She was cracking me up because she was saying how she was so excited for her husband's baptism because in a year they could go to them temp and do her "I Do number two" hahaha She is so awesome :)  

-Last week we had two prisoners escape from prison which caused a lot of issues for us.
 I personally didn't even know that Samoa had a prison, but I guess they do. Any way it was really funny because we had an older lady in our ward call us that night saying, "Aua e ke kakala lua faikokoa!" (Don't open your door!) She then went on to explain that the prisoners had escaped. I thanked her, and afterwords we were dying haha 

My companions (three of us again) then went on to talk about how they wished the Pagotas came because then they would beat them up haha (funnier in Samoan) 

-I got Nana's box last week! Thanks her please!
That's about it. Kind of a stressful week, but I really enjoyed conference. Anyways I'm just happy to email today :)
 I Hope you all have a great week! 
Alofa Atu Outou!
Elder Hunter

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Pretty Cool ava ceremony

Malo Soifua Aiga!

A pretty eventful week, and yet not really haha. I guess I should give you an update eh? Here it is:
-On sunday there was only one priest at sacrament. It is Rugby World Cup season, and Manu just happened to be playing that morning…

Anyway they needed someone to bless the sacrament, so I went up and did it. It was a really cool experience because I have never had to do it out here before. Also cool because it was my first time doing it in Samoan :) 

-The Chorister's kids were being ulavale during the hymn. So she was kicking at them and conducting at the same time. She is like 65 and I don't know why but it was so funny to me haha. 

-We were at our fafaga, when all of the sudden, the family brought the phone in front of us, and the grandma of the family was Skype-ing us haha. It was really funny because it was just unexpected and she kept yelling into the phone. My companion and I were so awkward, we didn't know what to do, we just kind of gave it back to the family haha
we were just walking and saw this...pretty cool ava ceremony

-Work is fantastic! we have possibly 4 more bapis next month :) one of which is the husband of TIki Masina! IT would be so cool if they go to the temple next year

All is going well here, and it sounds like you are all doing well. So weird seeing those pictures... The King's kids are soo big! haha and tell Josh Lee Congrats!

I hope you all have a great week!

ALofa Atu,
Elder Hunter

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Tsunami Action Plan

Monday, September 14, 2015

The note for your friends family and anyone who sends you mail and boxes


Tuesday, September 8, 2015

It doesn't really get much better than that

Malo Soifua Aiga!



Such an awesome week :) Seriously a had a lot of really cool experiences this week. Here is the update:

- My companion wanted to buy something in a little Chinese store this week. We went in and the lady tried to sell him the entire store…It was the funniest conversation ever because it was so FOB'd hahahaha Just awesome :)

- Our ward had a "Soul Rescue Program." It was really cool because we went through the ward list and marked all of the people who had moved or passed away. It was really neat to see the whole ward working together and I think that they are going to do it again.

-We had two amazing baptisms this week. They names are Fualole Tiki Masina and Fa'atea Masina. Such a cool story. She is a total Golden Investigator. She told me that when she finally read the Book Of Mormon, that she couldn't put it down, and that she finished it in 3 days. She wanted to wait to do her baptism until the 5th of September because it was her Birthday and she wanted to be re-born on her Birthday. Tiki has already read all of the Standard works and is extremely active in all of the activities. Her baptism was another highlight in my mission.

 She is an amputee and she always calls herself "The Flag Carrier" because her Wheelchair has the Church's name on it. When we tried to help her into the font she said that she wanted to do it. She scooted herself into the font, and burst into tears after the ordinance. Everyone at the baptism was really touched by the Spirit. 
After wards, My companion and I bought her a cake for her Birthday and she had the biggest grin on her face. :)
Tiki was waiting for me and my companion and I am so extremely grateful that I was able to be their :) Very similar feeling as the time of Avea's baptism. Just amazing. I will never forget this experience.

It doesn't really get much better than that. I am loving the work as well as my area :) Thank you all so much for the love and support and I hope you all have a great week :)


Alofa Tele Atu,
Elder Hunter

Sunday, August 30, 2015

#nothingcangetpasttape

AoAo's baptism.  I'm wearing my new ie faitaga-- haha yeah they are good for baptisms!

Malo Soifua Aiga!

It was kind of a slow week this week, but it ended really well. Here is the update:
-My companion got sick this week so we were in for a couple of days. He seems to be doing better now though so looks like we will have a full week this week.

Samoa's top security system...
We aren't going to get robbed or anything...haha
#nothingcangetpasttape
#weneedaguarddog

naw…its all good no one robs in Samoa haha


-On Tuesday we had a special island conference with all of the missionaries on Upolu. 
Elder Robbins, Elder Halleck, and Elder Fata of the Seventy came. It was a really cool conference and I got to hear some great talks. 
The thing that I really liked from Elder Robbins' talk was about how the words "Do" and "Be" work together. 
He said that Do without Be is wishful thinking. And Be without Do is Hypocrisy. A really awesome talk. :)

-We had AoAo's baptism this week. It was solid :) He is such a stud, and I am really happy for both him an his family. We have two more baptisms planned for this week. Needless to say, I am loving the work!

That's about it. I hope you all have a great week! 
Alofa Tele Atu Outou!
Elder Hunter

PS: Thanks Crosby!



Sunday, August 23, 2015

Bravery…the irony….

Monday, August 17, 2015

Thank you so much for everything President and Sister Tolman!

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Well I am a little shell-shocked right now so I will try to get the most information out that I can:

-My health is good, my companionship is great :) we are doing really good work over here, we just still keep trying to get used to the new area and ward members
My area... Downtown Apia

-We were proselyting this week and we tried contacting one of the old investigators. His name is Semi, and he was less than interested to see us. It was funny. He came outside and then went back in side when he saw us. He then tore a shirt to make a make-shift sling and acted like his arm was injured.....The funny thing is that he shook our hands first and he was fine…yeah…Gotta love fake arm injuries haha

My soa is a tama Savaii hahaha 
Yes that is an atualoa on his arm....he's crazy...hahaha


-Bingo is the Devil's game... The Lotu Pope's Bingo goes on right behind our house every night from 8:30-11.... Every night I here, " O Fitu.....O Fitu......" (O-7…O-7)

-We had a baptism this week that went really well. His name is Jakey Iakopo, and he is 10 years old. Great experience.

 -We have another one lined up for the 29th so hopefully it all works out :)


The biggest news is that Our Mission President, President Tolman, will be going home on Friday for good. We found out this morning... He said we will have an interim president until they call a new one. Apparently he has been sick since November, and Samoa doesn't have the Health Care to help him out.  It is going to be way different…

President and Sister Tolman have been amazing, and I have learned so much form them. I would like to model my life after his, and he has really helped me to become the missionary and person that I am today. He lives in Mesa, so please go and contact him.

Thank you so much for everything President and Sister Tolman!

That's it for today, but I hope you all have a great week :)
Alofa Atu Outou!

Elder Hunter 

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Rambo

Malo SOifua Aiga!

Well this week was pretty hectic, but it was a good one :) 

My companion and I have been running around trying to get used to the area. We even did 5 hours of straight door-knocking one day. It was a party :) But I also taught the most lessons this week than I have any other week, so that was solid.

Mission life is good. We have a baptism this week. His name is Jakey and is 10. Good kid!

Here is a funny story:

I went on an exchange with Elder Powelson (My Zone leader) this week. He is from Peoria, and he is a stud. Anyways, we were teaching the 4th lesson, and the member we had with us started talking about the Word of Wisdom. He taught the investigator about how alcohol can only be used to clean wounds. 

He then asked me, "Allii e Elder Hunter Na e matamata le Ata o Rambo?" (Did you watch Rambo) I was like uhhh no... He then went on to tell the investigator how it was o.k. for him to use alcohol to heal on of his many wounds....Nothing like a Rambo reference in Lesson 4 eh?…hahahaha



All is going well here. I hope you all have a great week :)

Alofa tele atu,
Elder Hunter

P.S. I got the Durantes box today, tell them thank you!!!

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Always an adventure

The Family tree haha
Mo'o. Hunter, Aokuso, and Aokuso's new son, Vaea'i. 



Monday, July 27, 2015

I'm tripping out a little.

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Well I am sorry but this is going to be a short one today. I am officially being transferred to Upolu! I will be serving in town in the village of Mata utu. 

I will be in a triple with two Samoan natives, Elder Taulolo and Elder Letoa. I'm pretty excited to go, but I am also really going to miss these people…I'm tripping out a little. Honestly I am a little worried. I have never been in a triple and I am the District Leader again 

Sorry that it is a really short email today, but I am cleaning up the house because they are bringing in Sisters to replace us. 

We also have to say a lot of goodbyes. I am going to miss a lot of families over here. Especially the Fa'aSavalus. They made me a cake for my 1 year mark and I love them all so much. Mom (Aliitasi) is the best :) All is going well, and I look forward to giving you a better email next week. 

Ou te alofa ia outou!

Alofa Atu,
Elder Hunter

Side note:
Thanks to everyone who has prayed for Gator and his health. He reports that he is well. When I asked, this was his response.  Leave it to Gator to go straight to food!

Don't worry, I'm healthy just fat now...hahaha I'm actually lighter than when I came out, but very little muscle. Tutuila has this thing called pipi  (Turkey Tail) It is like 90% fat and we get it all of the time. It tastes bomb, but it is awful for you ha