January 28, 2018

Kia ora Whanau!

So, earlier last week I thought, man, my last email kinda stuck, because we don't really have anything exciting to talk about. But, don't worry, Your man Cam has saved the day. I got Cellulitis. I kinda busted my shin back in December, and my shin has been healing slowly, but I got a fever last Monday; your Sunday; and it lasted 24 hours. but, It really did some damage to my already healing leg. from it, I got cellulitis, and it is basically a disease that sticks with me for the rest of my life. I went over to out member who is a nurse in our branch and showed my leg to her and instantly she said that I had cellulitis, and i needed to see the doctor immediately. So, We went to a small medicare place and immediately said that it was too big for them to handle, and pushed us up to the hospital. while at the hospital, They continued with something like, " so whats wrong with you?" *pulls up pant leg " OH my gosh That is the biggest cellulitis i have ever seen!" And from there i had two doctors do a ultrasound on  Bathsheba ( I named her, she is pretty wicked and I want to get rid of her every time I see her). But yea she is a nasty one she is. They gave me the heaviest antibiotics they have, and told me if it doesn't get better in a week, I am going in for surgery at Rotoroa next week. I am kinda the talk of the whole zone right now. But other that that, life is ok. Bathsheba just is annoying as ever. 

LOVE YOU All 

OFA ATU 

ELDER ALLART 

January 21, 2018

Kia Ora Whanau

Hey guys! So this week wasn't extremely eventful, but We did have our first Haungi, or a under ground feed. We also had a big service event go on and that was fun. While we were at the service though, it came to our realization how badly we have a bug infestation at our flat. It is a cockroach breeding ground right now. For example,  we have a game right now and that is who can feel the most cockroaches crawl over their legs through out the night. It is AWESOME! I went with ELder Olcott and we deep cleaned the whole flat today and then we bout a couple cans of the bugg killer and bombed our flat so now, our flat is a oven of death.Anyways, I also found out that if you want to find out what ime it is for me right now, you have to take back 4 hours, and go a day ahead. 

So, with a haungi, you have to cook up a massive as bon fire about 2 feet in the ground with volcanic rock on top of the fire, the fire also has to be logg cabin style, next, make sure you have how many metal cages for how much food is desired, we had 8 cages, full of pork, chicken, kumara, potatoes, pumpkin; it is actually not bad;and next you layer all the baskets from meat to veggies. but before you putt them on, take out the rest of the wood and ashes, but leave the rocks. After this, put a steel sheet over the rocks, then put the baskets, on the sheets. then, pun a white bed sheet that has been soaking in a bathtub full of water all night over the baskets, than put heaps of burlap sacks that have also been soaking in water all night on top of the sheet. after this, cover the burlap starting from the ground up in dirt and let the food sit for 2 hours, then uncover and eat. You will know it is done when the dirt cracks and steam is popping out. 

So Next, at church I helped give my first baby blessing. It was crack up. I am still learning MAori but the father went to Maori completely half way through and I couldn't understand anything so I just went ahead and said Amene at they end but I loved It. Turangi Is absolutely Fantabulous! Simon the beekeeper is moving along really well. we are gonna try to set him next visit. He actually gave us some Red Stag so we are gonna see  if we can cook it up and eat it later tonight.

Ofa Atu, Arohanui, Kia Kaha,

The Amazing Elder Allart

January 14, 2018

Kia Ora All, 

This week was epic!!! We went and Hiked Mt DOOM! It was honestly one of the most difficult hikes I have ever done. As we started walking up, the air got thinner and thinner and at about half way up, I got charlie horses in both of my thighs, but, besides the constant opposition, I pressed forward. As I kept making my way up the mountain I found the ratio for climbing was every 5 steps, was one foot! It was Hard! the further we went up though, The prettier the view. Once we reached the top though however, we found snow and a giant hole in the top. It was a massive volcano! At the top we stopped, said a prayer, and went down. At this point, my legs were so tired, that it felt like I had broken them. I hurt so bad! I ended up sliding down the volcano on my bum till we reached the bottom, my shorts ripped, we made it back to the car.

Now, the gospel principles in what we can find in this wondrous experience of pain, joy, and Majesty will come to the light. It shows that when the apostles talk about climbing mountains as a actual feet or a way of life, it is hard. Some want to quit, or maybe even back down, but It is though these experiences that we really grow. Some times as we climb our personal mountains, we get injured, or hurt even. At these moments, we need to move forward. Taking everything that we have with us to the top, where in the end, we can look back, and notice the path that we took to come. But, at the top, we can either sit there and look at the view, Or turn back and help the next one in line. From that experience, I have found that we never, ever stop, but keep moving forward, helping everyone to the top, to receive the wonderful fruit of eternal life that Lehi described to be, choice, and above all other fruit. But, once we are there, keep helping others come up too. I want to bear my testimony, that while on my mission, I have not only received that fruit and helped others get it, but I have seen what it can do for you. It can take away any pain, any amount of loneliness, and any suffering. 

On a lighter note, the mountain was RAD!!! We just got a new district leader and I think he is ok, so I am going to talk to him more. I love you all and Hope that you are having fun!

Ofa Atu

January 3, 2018

Elder Alves and Elder Allart is in the house Filipino members in New Zealand