THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER!!! Especially for our mom!!!

Aloha everyone! Our Elder Auna, called yesterday at 1pm Hawaii Time. Mom answered the phone, and a big smile came upon her face. Aaron bought us a speaker phone, so that we all could talk with our Elder. The phone worked so well, he was able to hear all of us talking. It was so much fun. Elder Auna sounds great, still a clown, and still on spiritual high. He was able to speak with us for over an hour, and also called a few times after that, driving mom crazy.

We miss him a lot. I know I'm not the only one that missed him all day. I'm excited for him. I do worry about him and pray that he will have the strength to carry out his calling, and continue to serve our Heavenly Father with all his heart. I loved it when he said, "My heart is locked." Such a great feeling to know that he is being watched over, and that he is cared for, even if he's not at home.

We love you Elder Auna!

-Jace

Cool & Freaky Rattlesnack!

Here is our Elder Auna holding a Diamondback Rattlesnack! He said it was "cool and freaky at the same time holding it." So far, he's also got to see chipmunks, skunks and a coyote.

Fortunately, it wasn't alive when this picture was taken. They made sure to take care of it so that it wouldn't get into any homes nearby.

Love for Music! Love for the Elders! Love for our Family!

Today, our family recieved another letter from Elder Auna. He has asked that we keep him in our prayers, and if possible to fast for him as well. He's just facing a challenge among the missionaries he's serving with, especially just this one Elder. The Elder has done nothing wrong or said anything wrong towards Elder Auna, but he feels irritated by him. Everyone feels the same about this one Elder, and everyone's working on making things better with him and for everyone. Elder Auna finds this past week, a challenging and hard one. May we write too him and email him more encouraging words.

Elder Auna we'll be singing in the next Zone Conference, which it'll be in 4 weeks. It was mentioned in a recent email that he got busted by Sis. Sanchez (Mission Pres Wife) and a couple of the others Sisters. They found him singing and playing the piano one day. He expressed his love for music in today's letter, and give THANKS to our Family for teaching him and having him involved in music.

"I know that I'm not the best singer out here, but I know I have a talent for music. A talent I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father gave me. Thank you family for brining music in my life. "

We had sent some church hymns in Hawaiian to Elder Auna, and said he'll be teaching his roomates some songs. Which I find so great and totally awesome.

He also expresses love for each of our family members. "Love you Mom, Dad, Jace, Aaron, Jackie, Elise, Elijah, and the rest of the family."

As the letters come along, I'll do my best to summarize or scan them for you all.

Letters written on Feb 26th, 2009

Mom, Dad, and I each recieved our own letter written from Elder Auna on Feb 26th, 2009. I know that he's busy but I was blessed for recieving a birthday letter. I want to quote a few things that was written in the letter too me...

"I am doing fine as always. I got into a little bike accident just a couple of days ago. I wrote to mom about it, it was funny. Thats what I get for not being nice to all the missionaries that get into bike recks. I'm riding my bike and all of a sudden I'm flying through the airy...Try imagining seeing the Kung Fu Panda flying in the wair in slow motions after getting kicked by someone. HILARIOUS!!!"

Gosh the experiences he'll go through, and the many stories to be told in the future. I'm sure all of us look forward to hearing from him.

Email sent March 11, 2009

Picture taken when Elder Auna first got to the mission field.

Picture taken 2 weeks ago.

hey mom,

Today....has been another crazy day. We did our zone activity around 10am, which is our email time.....so we came after. its was hard to find a computer and we have to go soon. its 1:40 over here. So sorry again for not writing a long email....tell jace and and aaron and jackie sorry for not writing emails to them. but i will next week. Im glad you got my letter. i havnt recieved anything you sent yet. hopefully it will be here today. I havent been at home all day, so i'll check when i get home later today.

Anyways all things are good here. Im sorry to hear about uncle bill... but im glad to here about uncle Kahea.... :)

Tell denise and Jonah My prayers are with them. Tell them i love them too. I miss you all and you will get my letter next week as always.

Love you mom.jace. and dad. eveybody

LOVE,

Elder Auna

ps. oh yeah.....sister sanchez and couple other sister missionaries caught me singing in the primary room the other day when i was on the piano. I was singing oh my soul hunger.....you should have seen their faces.... they were in shock with a smile on their faces.... it was funny.

Well, sis. snachez and the sisters told pres. and my zone leaders....and are making me sing for zone conf. Thats what i get for not making sure nobody is around. Plus my comp....always tells the members how good i sing. Even though i tell him not to say that. dont worry im embracing the oppurtunity to sing...with a grin. you know my nomral grinning face.

To make you a little happy i put an attachment on here with two pictures. One is when i first got here and the other two weeks ago. You can see the weight change in both pictures. In a couple of weeks i'll send more. Ive lost almost 20lbs so far. Its been slow and steady. Although the members feed us alot...im still losing weight, its cool. mainly because of all the walking weve been doing. Elder nash bike is still in the bike shop... so weve been walking or catching ride . everything is good.

Dont worry about the weight ok. i know you say you dont worry. but im jus reminding you not to get worried.

I'll tell more in my next letter home.

loveyahs

3rd letter from Elder Auna

Letter from the Mission President