Cyclones just make life more interesting!

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Well, this week has been quite an interesting one. But I don't know if I'm going to tell you about it. I'll give you all some hints though: sleeping on the floor for 4 days, McDonald's, spiders, warm showers, possible new area. And that is all I'm saying hahaha just leave it up to your imagination :)

One of my best friends out here Elder Pasia and me. He is a native form Upolu

To answer your other questions:

-Yes I think my language is getting better. I am understanding most everything that is said to me, and I can hold a decent conversation. I'm really working on being able to tell more about myself rather than ask questions (I think I ask too many questions :) haha ). 

-My companion is doing pretty good, he has been sick the past week, but I think he is going to be getting better soon, I also think that he is very ready to train and that he probably will next transfer (which is next week) 

-I always think about why I was sent to Samoa. For most of my mission I've been one of two palagi's on Savaii and many times have questioned why I was sent here. However, I continually am learning why. One example of this is how giving Samoans are. They would give the shirts off of there backs if you wanted it. I truly love that about there culture and the way they respect their guests. I'm always learning from the people here as well as the Aganu'u (culture).

-All has been good with my leaders. It has been a little difficult sometimes in my zone because there are only 8 of us, but we make it work. It has been a great learning experience and I have gotten really tight with some members of my zone. 

Zone conference we had with all of Savaii this week

Well that's all I've got for you all. I'm happy you had a great vacation and look forward to going on them again with you all! 

Alofa tele atu outou!

Elder Hunter 

PS:  cyclones just make life more interesting :)

cows on the road that blocked our way haha we had to wait until a bus came through to get to our conference :)

I was happy

Malo Soifua Aiga!

So I totally forgot that you were all going to Mexico and was like "What the heck?" when I saw the pictures haha. Well I hope you're all having fun :) (Samoa puts it to shame though; especially Savaii :) Not bragging, just the truth). It was a pretty good week this week, and here is the update:

-We had Olina's baptism on saturday! Way cool experience. After the ordinance my companion and I sang "Nearer My God To Thee" in Samoan. I really felt the Spirit, and was happy that my companion and I could do that again. 

Our New Font

-I officially cut my own hair for the first time this week. Not to shabby if I do say so myself. I've officially mastered the Buzz Cut :) Needless to say I could probably join the Army after my mission :)  haha

Sulu

-We are having our Zone P-day today, which I'm pretty excited for. My zone only has 8 missionaries in it right now, but I'm still pretty stoked. Afterwards we are going to make heaps of food, I'm pretty sure there will be a pig, so that's always good :) 

Some Tolo or Sugar Cane

-PLEASE send out more of those Jello Banana Pudding mixes! My comp and I put it on Masi Popo and cut up some fresh fa'i suamalie to put in it. SO GOOD! A little bit of Banana cream pies on the mission :)

All is going well here. I hope you enjoy your vacation, and I look forward to hearing from you all next week :)

Alofa Atu,

Elder Hunter 

Will Snap your Fingers Off

haha I look like a who from the Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Well it was a pretty good week this week. We honestly worked really hard. Here is the update :

- We had two splits this week with our zone leaders and the A.P's which was cool.

 Really helped with the area as well as my language. I got some great tips for conversational stuff so that was nice.

first hamburger in 6 months. I had to ask our Z.L's to go into town to get it. It was cold and nothing like and American one, but I think I shed a few tears when I saw it :)

-Olina's baptism is set for this saturday, here interview is friday but assuming all goes well she will be baptized on saturday :) 

Our new chapel in Fagafau got blessed this past sunday so she will be the first baptism in it which will be cool.

So blowing bubbles haha

-Crazy about Nate and congrats to Maddie, Quinn,Grant, and Josh! I'm so happy for them :)
(Nathan Lee is coming home soon, Maddie and Quinn got into BYU, Grant played his first LAX game at Furman and Josh Hunter got a call to serve in San Fernando Valley, CA Spanish speaking mission)

-I got to here from Will which was cool, I wrote him back and he sounds good.

U'U totally crushed my pen and apparently will snap your finger off hahaa

All is going well between me and my comp. We are on week 10 of our training so three more to go. I'll keep you all updated for transfers. 

Answers to questions:

Savaii is the most beatiful of the three inhabited islands and the culture is the strongest here which is really helping with the language. 

Sunset

I hope you all have a great week :)

Alofa Atu Outou!

Elder Hunter

Bomb Fafaga

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Well I think you all deserve a better email this week so here it goes :) I'll start with answering your questions the best I can.

-Avea has been doing good, and we usually see here twice a week. It has been difficult to re-teach her lessons because she doesn't have a lot of energy to pay attention, but we keep trying. The ward has been very supportive, which has been awesome. Also her grand-daughter and her husband (both in their 30's) have expressed interest in taking lessons, so we are trying to build off of that.

Bomb Fafaga :)

-Olina has been good, we just finished her last lesson yesterday, and will do here toe ilolio (review) this week. If everything goes according to plan, her baptism will be next week.

-We are teaching a man named Stafou. We have only taught one lesson, because we only see him once a week because he works in town, but his family are all members so we feel pretty good about him.

-We keep getting different stories about the nu'u (village) most say it is Fa'aSa, but all of the Au Paia (ward members) say that they are all just afraid of the faifeau and that there isn't any rule. But Stafou lives there, so we are getting some work done which is nice :)

-Service is difficult because no one lets us do service. We kind of just have to do it even when they say no haha.

-English is useful if they live in town, or if they ever want to leave Samoa. Vaiola, the Church College. teaches only in English.

-I haven't heard from Will at all, but I  would love to write him.

It was a lot better week than last week. I really didn't have a lot of motivation, but I forced myself to work anyways, and I can say I probably worked harder this week than any other week so far. Needless to say, this is a well-deserved P-day :)

6th time eating Lobster on the mish...no big deal...:)

I keep G and the Lawlers in my prayers.

Tell Chad congrats, wierd to think he is leaving now…:)

Not too much of an update. All is going well, and I look forward to your email next week :) Ou te alofa ia outou! I love you all so much. I hope you all have a great week! AND I MISS YOU TOO!!! :) Love ya!

Alofa tele atu,
Elder Hunter S.G.

I wouldn't have it any other way

All is good, I just want to be good at Samoan…

I could tell that God was testing my patience, and I think I passed… 

Honeslty I'm doing good out here.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

My friend Elder Pasia carved my tusk pese (Hymn Book), Way cool!

I finally made my first batch of Koko Samoa! I don't know why it took me so long..Koko is sooo bomb hahaha. 

Well I'm sorry but I have to log off. I love you all so much and I hope that you all have a great week :) Tell Crosby to write me back already haha

Pods and Tim-Tams

2/8/15

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Well to be honest there really isn't too much to update you all on this week. So happy to hear about the work back home! Missionary work truly is an amazing thing :) Well here is the update:

-We got the transfer calls and......I'm staying. I should be here for at least 6 more weeks to finish my soa's training. All is going well between the two of us. It was a bit of an adjustment at first due to cultural differences, but we are all good now. He's honestly a really cool guy, and if I get the chance to go to Australia I plan on visiting him.

-I officially found a slice of heaven in the shape of some sweets. Pods and Tim-Tams....delicious hahaha They are both from Australia and New Zealand and I need more hahaha. My soa got a box and shared some and I almost cried when they were gone...:)

Honestly, that's about it for this week. I got Nana's box so thank you Nana!!! I love you soo much! I hope you all have a great week and a Happy Valentine's Day! Alofa Atu Outou!

-Elda Hunka S.G.

Wow! What a week...

Malo Soifua Aiga!

Wow! What a week. It's crazy to think how much has happened. Here's the update:

-We had Avea's baptism on Saturday, and it was amazing! 

Seriously really cool. We had a huge turn out of 40 people (unheard of in our area) and it was definitely one that I'll never forget. We had to have four people in the font to keep her stable so Elder Aokuso, Elder Evagelia, Elder Filiaga, and I did the baptism. 

I performed the actual ordinance, and it was so cool! I'll never forget that she had the biggest toothless grin when she came out of the water :) After the service we did a musical number, and it was Love At Home in Samoan. 

Avea's Baptism, she's looking away....

My soa has a killer voice and it was such a cool thing to do for her! The Spirit was really strong and it was honestly a miracle that it all worked out.  

Elders Filiaga, Evagelia, Hunter, and Aokuso with Avea :)

-I'm not jealous about the Super Bowl.....I just may be bitter the rest of my life...that's it.

Atualoa!!!! I hate these things!

That's it for the update. I have a couple of questions though. What is my blood-type? (No, nothing happened I just want to know.) Honestly just want to know, all is good

What is the Pola's village in Tutuila? 

Well that's all I've got for this week. I love and miss you all! I'll try to send a box home soon. Ou te alofa ia te outou! 

Alofa Atu,

Elder Hunter S.G.