A Week of Goodbyes

You just can't beat a Tahitian Sunset

Well, this week had a lot of goodbyes in it!

First off, CONGRATS TO MY SISTER KATIE WHO IS GOING TO BOLIVIA!!!!! I can't wait to hear how she is doing and can't wait to still be better than her in Spanish when she gets back :) (I say this in all humility)

Second off, for Elder Paulsen, we had a surprise transfer and he is leaving! After 5 weeks we thought he was staying another transfer, but alas, he is gone, and being replaced by Elder Piazza. My first Frenchie :D I heard that he is really great and we'll see today at 5! Definitely sad to see Elder Paulsen go, but, I am excited to be with Elder Piazza and am excited for this next transfer!

Bye Elder Paulsen.  Picture with the Bishop and his Family

I lost the transfer bet, so I had to buy Elder Paulsen brownies

In our sector, we have slowly been improving and we are doing well right now! We are having a lot of member support and all of the members love messing with us, rightfully so, because we mess with them too ha ha ha! I am loving it here in Raiatea and am pumped to be spending a few more weeks here! Awesome!

Other than that, everything is going good. And I can't wait to get all of the emails, especially from my family saying that school is starting. For one more year, I get to enjoy paradise while you enjoy the 8 hours in school ;)

Service Project with the Copara

Funny Moment: While doing a service project, I had an axe and I was splitting coconuts for the Copara. But, when I split one, smoke came out. I didn't know what this meant and hoped it was a sign of my muscle power. But, it turns out it was rotten, and I smelled the worst smell of my life. UGH!

Culture Shock: After a service project, we were served a mega hot dog! It was awesome ha ha ha! French bread, American hot dogs, and Tahitian pineapple juice. You've got to love it!

What an Awesome Hot Dog ha ha ha!  You won't see these in America!

Spiritual Thought: In Mosiah 2:17 we can read that as we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are in the service of our God. For all of us, this means that every time we serve someone, we are actually serving God. What an amazing concept! I never really understood this until I looked at my life through the eyes of my parents here and spiritually. But, as we have kids of our own, I can't wait to thank someone who served one of my kids. The service that someone gives to my children will be ultimately more than the service anyone could do for me. So, how can we please God the most? We look outside of ourselves and get to work serving His Children.

Love you all, And Good Luck Bubs in Bolivia!!!

Elder Garff

Pineapple Filled Tart. Awesome.  Every Friday I have to get one of these:)

Pretty Cool Contrast!  A sunny landscape in front and a somber background.

Another (less attractive) Contrast

Always Fun Taking a Boat to go on a Split

Hey Everyone!

This week was a great week! We had an awesome hike on Monday (you all saw pictures from the last week), and after it was a chill P-Day :) Then, this week got crazy.

So, Elder Paulsen and I went on splits with the Elders of Fareatai, which was great! I was with Elder Ivie, and after the split, Elder Lasson gave me a haircut, which he had to finish the following morning because the clippers ran out of power :( Then, we went to Haamene, which is at Tahaa, an island next to ours. we took a 15 minute boat ride and met with Elder Eperenia and Elder Opuu. I was with Elder Opuu and it was awesome to serve with him for 10 hours ha ha ha! So, thanks to these splits, I slept in 3 different houses, served in 3 different areas, and went on boat, car, and foot this week, a little change of pace!

Josh with Elder Paulsen and the Elders of Tahaa, Elder Pouu et (and) Elder Eperenia

For me and Elder Paulsen, though we weren't really in our sectors this week, it was still great! We made a lot of progress with our investigators and are excited to welcome our members back from Tahiti! Over 50 percent of our members went to the temple at Tahiti, and we are excited to actually serve with them again!

And, always fun when the Sisters call and ask you to change their flat tire! We were a little perplexed by it all, but in the end, we got the spare on and are heading over to their house today to put the repaired tire back on!

Question:  How Many Elders Does It Tiake To Change A Flat Tire?

Last of all, shout out to my Sister Bubsy who is going to serve her mission this upcoming week! Next week there will be more about this, but, if you see her, make sure to give her a big oso hug for me! :) And throw a lot of water balloons at her, she can't really get wet during the mission... (JJ, this is a BIG hint)

Culture shock: The names here are not really like the names back home. Many people have an American name, but their family name is usually long. Check out the name of the lucky Tahitian man who won a car below...

Try Pronouncing That Name

Funny Moment: This will probably go to the car. Their jack was stolen, and our car is much lower to the ground than their car. So, not paying attention to the jack, we exceeded the limit and broke it. Good thing it is in my blood to sell cars, not to fix them :)

Spiritual Thought: I have been thinking a lot this week about the power of change. I know I have said this before, but this week we encountered a lot of people laughing us to scorn because of a baptism that we fixed (set up). It is amazing what changes can happen when we look at our lives and the lives of others through Heaven's eyes. Why would we want to waste our time looking at the condemning past of a person if they have changed or even want to change to a exalting future?

Love you all, enjoy having my sister in Utah while you can!

Elder Garff

Utah vs. byU
I wanted to have us holding up our fingers to show the score of the last Utah byU game (35 for me, and 28 for him), but Elder Paulsen wasn't too happy about that

Taking a Ride in a Sketchy White Van - They didn't offer candy though:(

A Little Carbloading...

To J.J.:  I Wonder Who Will Win - It's not stacked at all...

You'll Never Guess What Came Back...This Means War!

Tahitian Sunset - Enough Said

In My Bed

In My Suitcases

Hello everyone,

This week the ants restarted the war. As you all know, these vicious creatures have infested my: shirts, pants, helmet, bike, proselyting bag, and now: my bed and suitcases :(

This week though was a good week! Elder Paulsen and I were crazy busy in our sector and all over the island! We unfortunately had to say goodbye to Sister Olsen in our zone, but, we got Sister James! Who is another Sister from my MTC Promotion! Awesome to see her again!

This week, we also went with Elder Lasson and Elder Ivie to celebrate their 1st baptism fixed! When it is accomplished in September, it will be their branch's first baptism of the year! Congrats!!!

Lastly, this week was just full of miracles. Always a miracle when a 80+ year old adventist papi comes to church and is making progress to baptism!!!

Culture Shock: So, apparently Energizer and Duracell switched mascots? I thought Energizer was the bunny and Duracell was the battery... I guess I am a little behind on the times, but, I guess that's what I get for being on a mission, in the middle of the ocean...

Funny Moment: Definitely will go to pizza night with all of the Elders on Raiatea! A reward for Elders Lasson and Ivie for fixing a new baptism!

Elders' Night!  Definitely had a blast eating pizza with Elder Paulsen, Elder Lasson and Elder Ivie

Spiritual Thought: In one of our lessons this week, Elder Paulsen and I were explaining to an investigator that to see all the world has to offer, you need to go to Christ. How can you see the "colors of the world" (his term) in the dark works of Satan? Christ is the light, and only through His Gospel can we see the colors that the world has to offer. During the lesson, Elder Paulsen and I, not planned before, shared a scripture. I was talking and asked to turn to Alma 41:10. I looked over, and Elder Paulsen was already there, and we could tell by looking into the others' eyes that the Spirit was guiding us.

Search the Colors of the World in the Christ!

Elder Garff

This on eis for J.J.: We went on a hike as a district, and look who we saw destroying the town!

Our District Spelling Out RAROMATAI - Don't Judge!

The District!

Had a craving for vinegar!  One of the only times I have been able to eat Salt & Vinegar chips!!!!!:D

It's Not Every Day You Fly In For Meetings...

These are the Raiatea Zone Members.  Sisters: Sanchez, Noho, Kenny, Ladd, Olson and Mendenhall.  Elders: Paulsen, Garff, Lasson and Ivie.  The other members of this zone are found on Huahine and Tahaa

Well, this week was pretty awesome! It was definitely a change of pace and was crazy!

As a said last week, we had a 4th of July BBQ with our District on Raiatea and it was awesome! I love all of our zone and we are doing our best to keep the work progressing on this tiny island!

Plane Buddies - Best part of the flight: the free pineapple juice:)

After, Elder Paulsen and I had the privilege to go to Tahiti for leadership council, and, as the title says, we got to fly in! Definitely not something you can say every day! And the best part of the plane rides, definitely the free pineapple juice! The conference was good, and we also got to go to the temple! We got to go to the last session, and we got some amazing pictures of the Tahiti temple! It is small, but beautiful!

Awesome view of the temple at night huh?  E mea nehenehe tera!

After, for the rest of the week, we ran a lot of errands, did a lot of contacting, and gave a formation at our zone meeting (See the spiritual thought below). Things are going well in our sector, and we are always trying to improve! We talked to many people who have a great baptismal potential, we'll see how it all works out!

Culture Shock: Always a great moment when you don't have utensils and you realize you bought raw fish. What could get more Tahitian than eating raw fish with your hands?

Raw Fish for a Raw Man (Does that even make sense?)  As a family, we have decided that it does not.

Funny Moment: Will go to me and Elder Paulsen rocking out in the truck, with our sunglasses, at night, radio blaring and top speed and us singing at the top of our lungs "God Bless the USA". After the mission, this sneak peek will be available :)

Thanks for the toothbrush holder Katie:)

Loved the Package - Thanks!

Spiritual Thought: I don't know if I have shared this or not, but I was impressed to give our formation on finishing. President Monson gave a talk in 1983 called "Finishers Wanted". In it, he states that we need to have 6 things:

1. Vision

2. Effort

3. Faith

4. Virtue

5. Courage

6. Prayer

I am a strong witness that as I have developed a vision for me and my sectors, as I have worked to make my visions realities. With faith it was possible, doing all I could to be clean to have the Spirit, making decisions without fear of the result, and praying with all my might.  I have seen success.  For all of us, we need these 6 steps to be finishers in our lives. There are many who start, but few who finish. Do you want to be known as a quitter? Or a finisher? There are only two options. Choose today.

Love you all, don't do anything I wouldn't do! ;)

Elder Garff

Happy Fourth of July!

I'm Proud to be an American, God Bless America!
(I am convinced, however, that Tahiti was a close second in the election for "Promised Land")

Probably the theme of every missionary serving right now, but it'll be my only chance to say it before I get back!

I hope that everyone is enjoying all of the parades and all of the music! Here, the entire month is a party! It is definitely interesting to see how all of Polynesia has shut down due to the "Heiva".  We party hard in America, but Tahitians party long and hard. Which makes missionary work a little difficult, but still, we had a lot of success today and were still able to do a lot of work with our members and investigators!

I don't have a lot of time today, so it'll be a little brief, but I love this area! The land of my mission fathers and companions! I have run into people who have loved my old companions (Elder Borgholthous, Elder Webber) and it has inspired me to do the best I can here, to have a legacy like theirs!

I was told that by French and Tahitian pronunciation was bad, so I have to read the Book of Mormon in the 2 languages with a pencil shoved in my mouth as punishment.  Thanks Elder Hauata:)

For the 4th of July, I'll send pictures of our American party next week!

Funny Moment: Definitely will go to our dogs. I'll take a picture next week, but every night, we have 2 dogs who wait for us to give them food. There is a black one, Lasson, and a shriveled brown one, named Gollum. Gollum literally moves like Gollum and I love every night watching the two ha ha ha!

Chao Pao

Culture Shock: I will give it this week to the Chao Pao! It is a little bread ball with things inside of it. Our last P-Day, we learned how to make chocolate Chao-Pao! Literally a bread ball stuffed with Nutella!

A little grapefruit too - it can't all be chocolate Chao-Pao I guess

Spiritual Thought: As we were driving to the church this morning, Elder Paulsen and I blasted patriotic songs. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing Battle Hymn of the Republic was close to getting us in accidents (as I got carried away in Patriotism behind the wheel!). but, as I was driving, I thought about how lucky we are to live in America. No offense to other countries, but America is my home, and America is the land of promise of the Lord. As I have spent my last 13 months in Tahiti, I have thought of how many things we are lucky enough to have in America, and how blessed we all truly are. I am grateful for the noble and great ones who helped this country be a God fearing and blessed country. To men like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, James Polk, I salute you. And, as the scriptures counsel, if we keep the commandments we will be prospered in this land. With Helen Keller, I add my testimony that the world isn't just moved by the mighty shoves of mighty people, but by the little pushes of each honest worker. I add my salute to each one of you in America who keep the commandments. You are as big of heroes as our leaders, and thanks to you, we all can prosper in this great land.

I'm proud to be an American, God bless America!

(But a 2 year mission in Tahiti has me convinced that Tahiti was a close second in the election for "Promised Land")

Elder Garff

Bonjour Raiatea

Tahitian Sunset - Love it, Love it, Love it!

Hey Everyone!

This week was definitely a week of change! I actually left Maraa on Saturday, so it was pretty awkward sometimes saying hi again to investigators and converts I had already said goodbye to! The reaction of everyone was "You are still here???" (I guess I wore out my welcome huh? Ha ha ha). But, it was a good last week with Elders Puluiuvea and Elder McLelland!

Josh with Elder Puluiuvea and Elder McLelland

As Saturday came, I got to take a flight to Raiatea, my new sector! The cool thing about our mission is that if we go to the outer islands, we get to take a plane! I love doing it!!!!!! And, as I landed, I found my new companion, Elder Paulson, and one of the first things he asked was if I knew how to drive stick. I laughed and said "I can try!" And thus comes the title of this email. I am still learning how to drive stick (it's getting better!), but I can still drive better than my Sister Rachel who is in Driver's Ed :) People may get off the road for me, but with her, they clear the sidewalks too. Ha HA! (I say this in all humility and love)

Here is my island I am serving on (Raiatea).  Unfortunately it was raining as I took this picture, but it is still beautiful!

But, the sector is great! I don't really know it yet, as I have been here for 3 days, but it is actually the old area of Elder Webber and Elder Borgholthaus (2 of my old companions). It seems like I'll just be following Elder Borgholthaus my whole mission ha ha ha! First at Bora, then at Maraa, now at Raiatea!

Coconut Oreos - I just had to try them!  They weren't the best, but it was worth a shot

Culture Shock: Always a great moment when you find coconut oreos, and they are a dollar cheaper than the regular ones!

Yes, I am the designated driver, and the first days of stick were rough to say the least.
I'm still trying to repair my relationship with the truck:)

Funny Moment: It will definitely go to the moment I got into the car. Everyone asked if I knew how to drive, I said yes. After I backed up, as I shifted, I stalled. Then, stalled again as we tried to exit the parking lot. In a car full of Elders, I haven't heard the end of it!

Every once in a while Josh will send these "Josh Pose" pictures.
Take them seriously if you wish, but know that he was laughing as he sent them.

Spiritual Thought: Just a cool thought that I had about our divine identity. Elder McLelland and I were joking around the other day about dating. And he told me who I wanted to date, I said a beautiful daughter of God. After, I caught myself. I thought of all the times I had heard someone was going out with the daughter of a rich family, or a daughter related to someone famous. As I said a daughter of God, jokingly, I thought of approaching the doorstep and asking for His daughter. Imagine if we could do that, how much more respect would we have for our fellow brothers and sisters if we looked like them as children of the most powerful Being in the universe. So, my message is something my Grandma Elaine told me to do, "view others in the eyes of God".

Love you all!
Elder Garff

Au Revoir Zone of Paea!  I will miss you!  Thank you for the 7 months I was there!

Happy Fathers' Day Dad! and Happy Birthday Bubs!

"For Katie - it reminded us of the oso"

Hey everyone!

I have to start by saying Happy Father's Day to my favorite Dad! Thanks for all of the times that you helped me out in my life and for always being there. Even when I hit a pole and busted my car 40 minutes away from home, you came (even though it probably wasn't the most convenient for you!). Thanks for always being there for me! And Katie, Bubs. I would have sent you a huge birthday present, but because you have your future husband,9 Luke Reeves, I'll leave it to him to give you a birthday present.

So, the biggest news of the week is that we are having a transfer! After 6.5 months in Maraa, I am getting transfered to Raiatea! It is an outer island right next to my first sector Bora Bora, and I have heard that it is just as beautiful! I am excited to head out there and start a new chapter! But, I'll first pay a tribute to Maraa by listing my favorite 6 things that happened here.

1. The baptism of Catherine: One of my favorite baptisms ever! Living proof that though change is hard, it is possible through the Atonement of Christ, a Divine Heritage, and efforts on our part.

A Favorite Family to Teach!  Catherine, Rainui and Poerava.  Tough to say goodbye!

2. The baptism of and times with Benjamin! I will never forget this man! A convert who was with us 24/7 and who was key in our last few baptisms. I love you Benjamin!

3. All of my companions: Elders Peel, Davis, Putoa, McLelland, I love you all! Thanks for the opportunity to serve with you!

4. The ward members, especially our Ward Mission Leader, Bishop, and people that ate with us every night! Tamaa Maitai!

5. Living in a house that had amazing sunsets, which helped me appreciate again the beauty of Tahiti

6. The Teriipaia Family.  This is another favorite family of mine.  Theirs were the first baptisms I helped with in Maraa.

Another Favorite Family.  The Teriipaia Family were some of the first baptisms I helped with in Maraa. 

Culture Shock: On bike, you see much road kill, and not road kill you'll find in Utah, so, if you are squeamish about that sort of stuff, skip the first picture!

Why did the chicken cross the road?  Actually, he didn't.

Funny Moment! The whole time in Maraa, I have been using a day by day cat calendar that my loving family gave me. Every week, we picked a winner and the runner up. The winners formed a castle, and of course you have to have a good foundation to build upon right?

I am sure that in the Kingdom of God, Jesus will love the cats too

Second Place Cat Pictures.  All part of the Game.

Hundreds of Cats. Thousands of Cats. Millions, and Billions, and Trillions of Cats!

Spiritual Thought: This week, Elder McLelland and I listened to a talk about grace. The speaker, Brad Wilcox, gave an interesting analogy to the piano. Mom pays the piano teacher to give lessons to her child. But, she tells the child to practice. Does the child's practice pay the piano teacher? No. Does the child's practice pay the Mom? No. Rather, we have all been saved by grace and the price is already paid. The question is will we practice? Will we keep the commandments of God and continue to try even after we make mistakes? If we will keep the commandments and follow Jesus, we will be comfortable playing in the presence of God. If we don't follow the commandments, do you really think you'll feel comfortable in His presence? Do you really think you would want to accept the grace of the Savior if all you did was trample His teachings? Live your life so you will feel worthy enough to accept the grace, already paid for, at the last day. Perfect Practice makes Perfect.

Love you all! See you next week living the outer island life again!

Elder Garff

Goodbye Maraa!