LETTER #7 - SCHWARZENBERG/ANNABERG-BUCHHOLZ

Helllooo,
 
so because of new years this week our monday normal pday gets messed up. We are just supposed to do emails this week 

then get the groceries we need then get back to work. So I would have sent a regular email today but when we went to 

go do emails this morning, the place was closed. So we just went to work now were at schwester Zimmermanns doing our 

quick weekly email to President Pimentel and I thought I should let you know why there is not really an email this 

week. So. I will write next monday! It was fun talking to everyone, although elder killpack and I just found out we 

definitely broke the rule on how long your supposed to talk ha. It was really good talking to everyone though. Hope 

everybody has a good week, be safe over new years! love you all,
 
Elder Puriri

WE TALKED TO HIM

Christmas Day - 9:00am.  Isaac called!  SOOOO EXCITED!  We planned the whole morning around his phone call.  We love the technology of Skype.  Isaac called on my computer and Karamea called Rakai in New Zealand on her computer.  Then they talked to each other computer to computer and we all engaged in conversation.  It was 5:00am for Rakai and 5:00pm for Isaac.  We talked for exactly 2 hours 12 minutes and 19 seconds.  I am still feeling so elated - JOY is the best word I can think of. It was awesome!  We are grateful to Sister Zimmerman for allowing Elder Isaac to use the computer in her home.  We found out that Isaac's companion, Elder Killpack is from Sandy.  His family is actually in Grandpa and Grandma's stake and live close to my parents.  We will have to go visit them next time we are in Salt Lake.

Isaac is happy to be in Schwarzenberg for Christmas.  The area is in the mountains.  He says it feels like a scene right out of Narnia.  He says there are lights in the windows and the markets are filled with Christmas fun.  It is the envied area to be during the holidays.  He has been busy with holiday activity and P-Days are few and far between.  Which means letters and emails will be difficult.  I suppose this 2 hour conversation will have to keep us until we hear from him again.   

LETTER #6 - SCHWARZENBERG/ANNABERG-BUCHHOLZ

Family!!
 
Hamilton, happy birthday!! yea its late but obviously there isnothing I can do about that ha. Hi everyone! I'm in 

Germany now, and so excited. I got here tuesday afternoon at 12 so...tuesday morning 4am utah's time. So pretty much 

a 24 travel time since we left the mtc at 430am monday morning. Leaving the mtc was really weird. I made lot of really 

good friends there and it was harder to say bye then I thought it would be. That was only after 3 weeks or so, I can't 

imagine how its going to be after 23 months in germany. Good thing I don't have to do that for a really long time. 
 
Getting here was cool, the 2 other elders and 1 sister I traveled with were so in awe seeing germany, driving the the 

presidents house, and hearing german all around you instead of english. It was weird for me because...it wasn't new or 

weird being here. I didn't get that feeling you think you'd get arriving at your mission in another country. It was 

more like cool I'm back in germany, time to work. I guess thats lucky though. New missionaries here are called Goldens 

not greenies, and I didn't really go through that golden phase as they called it. Its really nice already being able 

to speak german. I remember how it was getting to hannover my little bit and how depressing it was not understanding 

or being able to speak. On a mission it would be way worse! So yea, I'm glad the lords blessed me in the ways he has to 

prepare me for my mission. 
 
My first night here we went to the Brandenburg gate and did some finding (talk to everyone about the church, try to 

get names; numbers, addresses and appointments). It was so weird!!! Our trainers were not there yet so we were just 

the presidents assistance and 2 sisters serving in that area. I went with Elder Loynes from England to find. It was 

crazy he would just walk up to people and go 'I know that god lives today and that his church is on the earth again. He 

calls prophets and they lead and guide us' or 'I know god loves you and that he wants to you to be happy in this life' 

and lots of other ways he did it. I was thinking you cant just walk up to people and blast them with all this stuff! 

Thats what we did though, and it was fun. We got everything from really interested people taking everything we said to 

really good, to people like thanks but no thanks, to get out of here but in different terms ha. It was funny seeing all 

the peoples different reactions. I was shocked by some of the things people would say to us ha but then shocked that 

people actaully do stop and really want to hear what you have to say. I was real nervous to go finding at first and 

still am a little bit but thats one of the biggest parts of this mission apparently. The mission presidents keeps 

saying 'we find, we teach, we baptize, we keep.' Everyday when you don't have something going on, we go finding! I'm 

starting to like it a lot. 
 
We got our companions on wednesday night at the presidents house. My companion is Elder Killpack from sandy, ut. He's 

from st. louis, missiouri mostly but lived in sandy the last couple years before his mission. He's way cool though. He 

has no fear when we go finding and is comfortable talking to everyone. His german is really good and he is a way good 

teacher, I'm learning tons from him. He has been out about 16 months now I think. I finally got to look at the blog 

mom is keeping which is way cool. In that picture with all us missionaries in Leipzig though, he is like the 3rd elder 

to my right I think. The one with the red hair. We got along really well and I'm excited to serve with him. Our area 

is the Schwarzenberg/Annaberg-Buchholz area. Its the most southern part of the mission I think, up in the mountains and 

right next to the czech border. Its beautiful here though, lots of little towns down in valleys, a few casltes, old 

catholic churches, pine trees everywhere, and lots of snow to top it all off. Its the best place to be over christmas, 

at least thats what everyones been telling me. I can see why too, the christmas atmosphere is really big and the 

christmas markets here and the best in the mission. Although its also the coldest place in the mission. The last two 

days it was -18 C...i'm not sure what that is converted but I thought I was going to die. I got a really good 

companion and a sweet area! The people here are really cool too, and the wards are awesome. This used to just be the 

Schwarzenberg area but the missionaries in Annaberg-Buchholz  got moved to a different area so now we have both cities. 

So we do have a car luckily. Two cities, to wards, twice the people. So we are pretty busy trying to do stuff in both 

cities. 
 
My first day here was last thursday. We were in Annaberg and members had written their testimonies in copies of the 

book of mormon, then we wrapped them up in wrapping paper, went to the christmas market and handed them out. We gave 

out 10 copies in about 30 minutes. It was so fun. We'd just tell people we wanted to give them a present since it was 

christmas time. Then we'd tell them a little bit about it and most would take it! We had 2 appointments right after 

that so we got the 2 memebers that came with us and split and went and taught. So my first lesson wasn't even with my 

companion ha. I had never taught in german before and was way nervous. It was really cool though, I could understand 

almost everything and I taught as much as I could. Then last night Elder Killpack and I were back in Annaberg to watch 

the rebroadcast of the First Presidency christmas message but we had some time before. So we got the last 2 wrapped 

books of mormon and went to hand them out. I said a quick prayer while getting out of the car hoping that we would be 

guided to 2 people that would need it most right now and that they would accept it. Then I caught up with elder 

killpack and we started down the street. We walked past a few people which was weird because usually killpack talks to 

everyone but then this girl came and he talked to her and she was way excited and took it. Then a girl came walking 

right after and I talked to her about it real quick and gave her the book. We gave out those books in like 20 seconds 

it was crazy. ELder Killpack said he had never seen anything like it. 
 
Everything is just going really good. I'm picking up the german again. Except here in the Erzgiberge they speak crazy 

german. Its a total different dialect and so hard to understand! They mumble and mix everything and pronouce things 

way different. I have to like keep myself from laughing when we talk to some people because it sounds so funny. The 

people here and nice and the members feed us lots which is always good. Elder Killpack and I were reading the 

christmas ensign this morning during study. We read Elder Eyrings talk and want you all to read it too. Our family is 

the most important thing to me. That longing we feel to be with family for christmas, we feel to be with them forever 

as well. Through Christ we have a way to make sure our family will be together forever. Its almost like one of those 

primary answers or things that I never really thought about. Realizing the significance of this is huge though. I can't 

imagine not being able to be with the our family for eternity. I don't know how it all works, but we all need to do our 

best to make sure we are all together. That alone is motivation for me to do my best to live the gospel. 
 
One of the members in the Schwarzenberg ward, Sister Zimmermann, is letting us call from her house on christmas day! 

Elder killpack is going to use her phone and she said I can use skype on her computer! I dont know if she has a camera 

or not but I'll be able to see you guys at least ha if she doesnt. Her email address is brigittezimmermann1@t-online.de 

so add her on skype by friday. We are going to call at 5 here so 9am friday utah time. 
 
I hope everybody is doing really good and I hope christmas week will be good. Remember to focus on Christ! I think its 

John 14:27 (if its not, im sorry. i dont have my scriptures here). The peace we get from christ should be the main 

focus and is the biggest gift. Like President Monson said in the christmas devotional. The spirit of christmas, is the 

spirit of Christ. Thats a feeling we should have the whole year and not just during the christmas season.
Have a good week everyone! be positive, be happy! I love you all, thanks for everything. I will talk to you on friday!
 
Elder Puriri

UNCONTROLLED TEARS

I am so anxious to hear from Isaac in Germany.  In my anticipation I checked on his mission blog.  I burst into uncontrollable tears when I saw him.  Oh how we miss him and oh how we love that he is where he is.

"Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation."  (Doctrine and Covenants 31:3)

First photo taken in the mission

A fine looking missionary bundled up in the cold

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM HIS AUNTIE

What an Inspiration, this Elder Puriri is....We shall keep him & all the Missionaries in our hearts & Prayers while they go out to share the Gospel of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

Thank you so much Lani, for sharing Isaac's beautiful email.  Informative & funny at the same time!!  He writes real good & we are so very proud of him.

God Bless Elder Puriri, on his Mission.

Auntie Ponti

ARRIVAL IN GERMANY

Thank you to President and Sister Pimentel for sending us an update on Isaac's arrival to Berlin.  We are desperatly waiting to hear from him.  He said, "as soon as I get to Germany I'm going to have a bratwurst."  We expect he did that at the Brandenberg Gate.

Hi Sister Puriri:

Just a quick note to tell you that we picked up Elder Puriri this afternoon.  At this very moment he is out doing some street contacting with the assistants and the other missionaries he arrived with.  This first 24 hrs. is a bit rough but they get through it.  Elder Puriri is doing great.  He will be an asset to the mission.  We look forward to working with him.

We were about 10 minutes late to the airport (that makes me sad because I like to watch them as they arrive).  We piled into the old mission van and went to the office for check-in.  After a few more stops they made it to the mission home for some lunch and a short nap...and interviews with the President.  We then had dinner (rotkohl was on the menu) and afterwards they all left for their first missionary activity - Brandenberg Gate - a tourist hot spot in downtown Berlin.  I am anxious to hear all about it.

The Elders will stay at a small hotel a couple of blocks from us.  Tomorrow they will meet their trainers, have an orientation meeting and another dinner.  (We are waiting for two to arrive from the Preston MTC).  They spend the night again at the hotel and then off to their cities.  At this point we still don't know where they will be assigned.  President wants to meet all of the missionaries before he makes the assignments.

That's all for now.  I will post photos on the blog in the next few days - I hope!!!

Have a wonderful day.

Sister Pimentel

Germany Berlin Mission

And from President Pimentel - 

Dear Sister Puriri: Just a quick note to let you know that Sister Pimentel and I had the privilege of picking up your son at the airport today and bringing him to our home for his first meal in Berlin. We’ll get him a good night’s sleep tonight, assign him a companion and an area tomorrow and have him out doing the work right after that. He looks good. He is healthy and happy. We are thrilled to meet him and to have him here. Vielen Dank und alles Gute. Pres. Pimentel, Germany Berlin Mission

LETTER #5 - MTC PROVO, UT

Hello family!
 
so this will be my last email from the mtc, I leave monday morning at 4am! We get to the airport around 5, my flight 

goes at 7 something. Its going to be a long trip but it will give me time to write more in my journal and read and 

stuff. I dont exactly have time to write in my journal a lot so I write once or twice a week, I'll do better out in 

the field though.
 
The mtc has been really good! I didn't like it at first but started focusing on the good points and now I really like 

it, it feels like...safe here ha. I'm nervous to leave and actually go and really do missionary work. Faith conquers 

fear though, and I'm really excited at the same time so it will be good. Its really cold here in provo though so not 

exaclty looking forward to the cold over in Berlin. 

Its been snowed for a couple days which was really cool. Most of the people in my branch have never even seen snow 

since the majority of them are from the pacific islands, so they were pretty excited about it. They had a big snowball 

fight after gym a couple nights ago and were so loud! all of them were yelling and laughing really loud it was pretty 

funny. although after a little bit some guy came out from the near by building and told them all to act like 

missionaries and that they can't be doing childish things like that. Elder Pome'e, one of the tongans was making a 

snowball at the time and asked me if he should throw it at the guy or not. I told him probably not, so he just threw 

it at another one of the tongans instead. Back in the residence halls that night they were all hyper after that and 

wanted to go have snowball fight. They've come to not really like the snow though now ha, they all say its really 

cold and they like the sun more. I got that work out thing out the other night that uncle paul sent because elder 

moimoi(tongan) wanted to use it. So we figured out how to use it and after a little all the polys were waiting for 

their turn. The schedule for the night is supposed to be: back to rooms at 930, prepare for the next day/bed, quiet 

time and in rooms by 1015, and lights out at 1030. OUR actual night schedule is: back to rooms at 930, everyone 

working out until 10 or 1015, walk around and see who has food until 1030, then all the polys go to one room and 

laugh and sing and do whatever until who knows how late. I'm usually in bed by 1045 or so, but you can hear them out 

in the halls until you fall asleep. The crazy thing is, when I get up and open my door to go shower at like 615, the 

tongans are already fully dressed and ready to go! They are the first ones ready everyday. I don't know how they do 

it. You think they always just joke around and slack but they really don't. They just like to be loud and stay up late 

ha. An elder from China was sick the last few days and somehow always had to be in the residence halls with him, the 

other night it was my turn. So I went back after dinner and changed and stuff while everyone else had class. and I 

just read and studied and stuff and kept checking up on elder Huang. Then like 30 minutes later all the tongans showed 

up, it was only 630 and we actually had class until 730 or something. They all came in my room and started joking that 

I was the one ditching out on class and slacking then they went to their rooms and everything got really quiet so I 

figured they were taking naps or something. Then I went to go check on elder Huang again and when I got to the door 

I could hear talking inside, so I just put my ear up to the door and was listening. It was a few of the tongans inside 

teaching elder Huang a lesson and keeping him company. It was really cool! They are really fun people but they know 

when to be serious and they all have a really strong testimony. 

Two of the tongan elders just came in and said they just barely woke up! its 1030 ha. i asked if they had done laundry 

already or anything and they said "yes, we wake up at 5 and do laundry then go back to sleep. then you wake up whenever 

you want and everything is good then you can do emails or what you want" pretty smart guys haha.
 
I've been reading Jesus the Christ, and its amazing. I'm only a few chapters in but I have already learned so much. 

One of the parts talks about fate kind of and you know how I feel about that. This is what it says though "Let not 

ingnorance and thoughtlessness lead us into the error of assuming that the Father's foreknowledge as to what would be, 

under given conditions, determined that such must be." so maybe i understood wrong but to me that means there is no 

such thing as fate or a set fate. We are given agency, and that means we determine the things that will happen for 

ourselves, otherwise what would be the point of going through life. Like I said maybe I just didn't understand the 

whole thing correctly but thats some of what I got out of it. Which makes me feel better anyway because I don't like 

"fate". Anyway, Jesus the Christ really is good. Rakai you should read it, it seems like the kind of reading you like 

to do. Its really deep and descriptive about everything and I think you would like it. I was thinking about just 

getting a copy from the book store here and mailing it to you but I dont have you address and I'm sure you can get 

it in new zealand anyway, then I don't have to spend the money to send it! Really though, read a little and see if 

you like it, then read the rest ha. Elder Tune from Kirtibati is reading it too so I'm helping him with parts he 

doesn't understand since James E Talmage uses such a big vocabulary, sometimes though I don't get it either so 

neither of us get it. Its ok though, we are both getting so much out of it and its good because we have someone to 

talk about what is being explained.
 
I've become really good friends with all the missionaries in my class/district, its wierd people are slowly leaving it 

doesn't feel right! Elder Ip from Hong Kong is the funniest person. His english sounds like ammons chinese accent but 

a lot more funny, i love talking to him. He is a bit distracted by all the sisters ha we have to always remind him we 

are supposed to have an eye single to the glory of God. He always keeps our class laughing so its nice to have him with 

us. I am the first to leave on monday, if Elder Bodhaine and Sister Clark get their visas they leave monday too so 

hopefully they get them. everyone else leaves tuesday and wednesday. Then we will all be out in our mission fields! 

Its pretty exciting. 
 
Thank you everybody for the packages I've been getting! I was going to write all you back but while I was gone with my 

companion this morning, the other elders in our room cleaned our room for room inspection today. So the boxes I had in 

the corner with everyones addresses on them are now gone out in the trash. They smashed them and put them in the garbage 

in the bathroom, so I went to get them out and someone had taken that garbage out to the dumpster...so I decided not to 

go look for them out there. Thanks a ton though, everyone loves the cookies and treats. I'm pretty sure we have like 

5-10 elders in our room everynight seeing what they can eat. Our room leaves by wednesday though so they need to find 

another food source.
 
Well I have to go do a few more things before lunch. I hope everybody is doing good! I've only been on my mission for a 

little over 3 weeks but it feels like months! which is a good thing, i love it. luckily I still have about 23 months. 

Its hard work but definitely rewarding when you get to feel the spirit around you all the time. Keep the missionaries 

in you prayers! Hope everyone has a really good week. 
Elder Puriri

LETTER #4 - MTC PROVO, UT

Dad, Mom, Rakai, Karamea, Ammon, Asa, Hamilton

My time here in the MTC has been really amazing.  I am staying here longer than expected at first but I'm actually grateful for that.  At first I didn't really like the MTC but when you focus on the right parts of it you really start to enjoy it.  I learn so much everyday and am strengthening my relationship with Christ.  I'm becoming more aware of the presence of the spirit and noticing it more in everything.  Twice a week we go and get to teach to teach mock investigators.  It's my favorite time of the week!  Even though they are already members, they still might need some kind of help in their lives.  It's the best feeling when you're teaching and the person you're teaching is really into it and you can see and feel they really are interested.  The spirit is there and you feel like you're helping in some way.  Sometimes you don't say what you had planned or you say something that you weren't even thinking.  And that's the spirit!  It's so cool to be able to teach by the spirit, you realize without the spirit you really won't be able to teach at all.  You can say all you want but if it's not sincere and with the spirit it won't teach the person and they won't really get what you want them to.  I've been really blessed being here.  From all the things I'm learning to my companions to the peole I'm meeting and making friends with.  I'm grateful I'm learning so many of these things in the MTC.  I feel like it's giving me a headstart for the stuff in the field.  So I won't have to go through as many as the spiritual and mental struggles there.  I am overcoming difficulties here so it won't be so hard out in the field.  It's another proof of how well God knows me.  He is helping me so much with the exact things I will need out in the field.  The MTC at first wasn't exactly my favorite place.  I've grown to like it though and learning all the stuff here than you can is actually kind of fun.  All the missionaries in my class, district, branch are so awesome.  I'm getting to know them really good and we've become like a big family.  We joke around, "hang out"(as much as possible in the MTC), and we help eachother grow spiritually.  At first our class had 14 missionaries but we got split in half it was kind of sad.  The class though now is really cool.  We get along really good.  Our teachers, Sister Reid and Brother Owens are awesome and we help eachother every day.  The thought now of leaving the MTC and going out to Germany is really exciting.  But also very scarry too.  It will be cool to speak German again all the time but I'm nervous about teaching.  I don't really have a good gospel vocabulary and get tongue tied remembering what to say.  It's okay though.  Faith conquers fear, and I know if I'm working hard and for the right reasons God will help me any way I need.  (John 15:7)  I can't wait to learn German to the point where I can speak clearly and powerfully with the spirit and say whatever I want.  I am really excited to serve God.  The only thing I have to worry about is bringing people to Christ.  Which is actuality is the most important and vital thing in our lives.  So my worry is the biggest worry.  And my job is the most important job.  It's overwhelming to think about it like that but it's true.  I am honored to be a missionary for Jesus Christ, and to be a representative (3 Nephi 5:13) of Him.  I want to bring others to Christ through my example and through his help.  I want to bring myself closer to Christ so that I can feel him with me all the time.  I want to be filled with his love and the spirit and want it to radiate from me that others might be able to see it and recognize it as a familiar feeling and because of it they will remember who they are, where they are going and what they should be doing on earth.  I've only been on my mission for about 3 weeks and I'm amazed at what I've learned already.  It makes me wonder what I'm going to learn the next couple of years.  I can't even imagine.  So the MTC has been good and so has my first 3 weeks of my mission.  This will probably be the last hand written letter you're going to get from me before I leave.  I will still email Friday but then I leave Monday!  It sounds like everyone is doing really good.  It's crazy to think Ammon, Asa and Hamilton are the only kids home now.  It seems like the house would feel empty or something.  To me it seems like you guys would feel more alone than I actually do.  Of course though none of us are really alone though so it's okay!  I hope everyone is doing good.  Mom maybe you can type this and send it to Karamea and Rakai or something.  I love you all, thanks for everything.

Isaac

PS - I'm going to try and send home a couple pictures or so before I leave.  Also, if you could send me some regular Burt's Bees.  The weather protector is good but it is more like a protection thing than a moisterizer.  And when I put lots on my lips turn white.  Also, get me James' address!  I still don't have it.         

COUSINS WORK AT BYU LAUNDRY

Guess who sarah and I saw at work! Isaac! He came over to learn how to sew on a button. I was happy to teach him.We were so happy and excited to see him. :) He's doing great and he got to speak with a German woman who works at the laundry. We know we look awkward in the picture because we didn't know if we could touch him or not. But we're all happy! Enjoy! Heather and Sarah

We forgot to say that the German woman who talked to him said that he
spoke German really well and he didn't even have an accent. It's been
an hour and we're still talking about it because we are so excited! 

          

LETTER #3 - MTC PROVO, UT

Hi family!!

so being the resourceful missionaries we are, we found a way to cheat a little bit on the emails. We open lds.org, 

click on feedback, then type out our emails in the message box! So we can type more now without the clock 

counting down. Then we we finish our email, we copy it, open our email, paste it, send it and you only used like 

2 minutes total! so then you can close it and still have 28 minutes for the day or whatever. So we can type more 

then one email and open the email, send it, and sign out without being rushed! ....it might slightly be against the 

rules but at least we have time now to think a little bit about what we want to say! I hope everyone is doing good! 

I've been getting a lot of mail/packages lately, so thanks everyone! The elders in my room say thanks too, now 

we can eat something between 5pm and 730am. How is it with just having 3 kids at home now!? That is so weird 

to even imagine. Have you heard from Rakai since he left? Its awesome he's actually over there now. Mom you 

should try and send me a few pictures before I leave, the only one a brought with me was one of the st. george 

temple. So it'd be cool to have a few of the family, also one with my long hair because nobody can picture me with 

long hair and they wanna see. One of the elders in my district used to have way long hair too and when I said mine 

used to be like that they didn't believe me. So yea, a few pictures from home would be cool. I can't get on the blog 

you are doing, the MTC computers block pretty much everything. You can't even use some of the links of the lds 

websites, if you click on them the whole internet and everything just closes ha. So I'll have to wait until i'm out in 

the field until I can actually look at it. Apparently because of thanksgiving or something my districts departure dates 

got postponed or something. So now we don't go until the 14-16, everyone is leaving between those days. Its 

probably good though because I don't feel like I know enough yet and leaving next week I'd definitely be nervous. 

I probably will be anyway but still. I got called to be a district leader last sunday, a bunch of missionaries went out 

last week including our district leader so they called me. All the missionaries in my district are way cool so its pretty 

fun, I do have a little more responsibility then before but its not bad. The zone leaders on the other hand are loaded 

with stuff to do all the time. In my room is the zone leaders, myself, and my companion. So we have to be the 

"examples" to everyone else. I got a new companion too, Elder Lau. He is originally from Hong Kong but lived in 

London for like the last 10 years so his english is good. He speaks with a british accent though its pretty funny.Classes 

are going good! I am still learning so much everyday its like mentally tiring. Every night you lay down and pass out 

right away. I've learned so much here in two weeks its crazy. We get to teach mock investigators a couple times a 

week, just volunteers who are really members but act like they aren't. We go and teach them the different lessons. 

Thats my favorite part about the mtc I think. Because even though they are already members and have testimonies 

and all that, you never know, they might really be having problems or need help with something. My companion and 

I get to teach them and we treat it like its real (we're supposed to anyway but yea) , the last time we taught on 

tuesday was way good. You could feel the spirit so strong and it felt like they were totally in to it and really interested. 

It felt really good. The people I'm meeting in the mtc are awesome, I love my class and distrcit. The elders from hong 

kong in my district are way funny and there is an elder from Kirtibati that is awesome. He is teaching how to speak 

Kirtibati and i'm actually learning a lot its sweet. I wanna go live there for a little after my mission or something.
 The tongans are still the tongans, a few left but there is still a bunch here. I walked by there room the other day 

and they were lifting the bunkbed frame off the lower bed and putting them on the ground. So now they have no 

bunk beds and have 4 regular beds and there is pretty much no floor space in their room. I guess they thought I 

was someone else because when I opened there door to go in they all stopped and looked at me like they were 

in trouble, then they all just started laughing and kept pulling apart their beds. I keep seeing jordan around its cool, 

makes me feel like I'm not really away from home when we see each other. I tried to talk to Dads mission president 

last friday but he wasn't there so I'm going to do it today, I'll let you know how it goes! I hope everybody is doing 

good, thanks again for all the letters and everything. Tell uncle paul thanks for that work out thing! I haven't had 

time to figure out how to use it yet but I will! one of the tongans was in my room when I opened it and he keeps 

asking me if I know how to use it yet. I guess he wants to use it too ha.Elder torres in my room needs to go get 

his suit jackets tailored and they told him he has to go to the byu laundry, so i'm gonna go with him. Maybe we'll 

see heather and sarah!  One of my teachers Mrs. Reid always tells us "we are not here to be, we are here to become" 

Its a simple thing you hear but its helping me a lot. To become we need to be humble and teachable, Mosiah 4:11 

has been my focus for most my time here in the mtc and its helping me to "become". well this is getting real long 

and I still need to go get my laundry out of the dryer so I don't keep other missionaries waiting. Keep eric, greg, 

and me in your prayers! we need as much help as we can get! i love you all!
Elder Puriri