There Is Someone For Everyone

I Liked It So I Put A Ring On It

The Lord has a funny way of showing us His plan.  Sometimes we make plans and tell God, "This is what I'm going to do."  I'm sure he gets a big laugh when we tell him things that He knows aren't going to happen. 
Well I had that situation.  Beginning of August 2012, I told the Lord that my plan was to attend Utah State and graduate in Aviation Technology.  It took only 4 months for me to see that's not where He wanted me to be and I transferred to BYU-Idaho majoring in Business Management. 
This isn't the only interesting part to His plan for me.  My original plans were to eventually find someone, fall in love, get married, the rest is history.  But it wasn't in my book of plans for a while.  My best friend in the world and I are set to be married in the temple on August 17 in the Logan Temple.  We met when I first returned from my mission and became close friends quickly.  Eventually over time, our friendship turned into something more.  That something more turned into something much deeper.  It became inevitable to the both of us that this is what we both wanted and we knew that we had something special.  We plan to take that something special and turn it into an eternal relationship that is meant to last beyond this life.
Being on a mission and meeting couples who needed the blessings of the temple, and the sealing power (Being able to have these relationships beyond death) it was always common knowledge to myself that these blessings are so significant that I didn't want to miss out on them for myself.  I knew that the most important thing I wanted in my future spouse was to be able to be sealed to her for time and all eternity.   
We will have that very same privilege in August, and we are both extremely excited!!
With that being said, we are both attending BYU-Idaho with plans of graduating and (if the Lord isn't laughing right now) to move back to Logan, Utah and continue our Aggie pride in graduate school at Utah State.  We are both extremely excited for the future ahead of us and to see where life will take us in 5 to 10 years from now!  For me personally I feel so blessed and grateful to have a woman in my life who is so patient with me.  I'm a five year old at heart and Kindsey is the only girl I know that could handle that and love me for that.  

Returning to the Mission

First off, I'm so sorry it's been 7 months since I've posted.  I will use the common excuse of "I've been busy" because..it's true.  I started school at Utah State University (GO AGGIES) in August, and have been working in the process.  So, as a college student, yes.. I've been busy :)
Anyways, I was so blessed and fortunate to be able to return back to the Hawaiian Island at the end of August and stay for a few days.  I was on O'ahu from August 31 to September 1, and was on the beautiful island of Kaua'i until my return flight home on September 3.  It was a very brief trip, but it was worth every second to be back "home".  I wanted to give a little report of what I was able to experience while I was back in the islands.
If you remember in Kaneohe, I became very close to an amazing family, the Jackola's.  My old companion Barraza and I were able to visit them and catch up.  It felt JUST like we were still missionaries and visiting them, it was wonderful!!!! They are still hilarious and amazing people!!
I was able to visit with one of my favorite converts, Auntie and Uncle Jay.  They were sealed nearly a year after their baptism date, and they are absolutely fantastic and strong!! They still have such a love and connection to the gospel!! They amaze me!! They have a fire that very few members have, even life long members.  For that, they are examples to me, and I love them dearly!
Also on O'ahu, I was able to attend the Laie temple with the Keeler family from Lihu'e.  President Dalton, the mission President, attended as well and I learned so much from him! We sat next to each other during the session and he taught me so much, he truly was called of God to be over the Hawaiian islands.

What I did to Bro. Keeler's car!

During my stay on Kaua'i I was FINALLY able to step foot on the beach!! Oh how amazing that was!!! I was able to get in the water, play on the sand, and not worry about being "disobedient" haha.  Kaua'i is still my favorite island (I LOVE O'ahu, but my heart was always on Kaua'i!)
I decided to attend the Lihu'e ward for that fast Sunday.  I had a lot of Aggie Pride as Bishop Young conducted the meeting and said "Our Aggie Warrior is in attendance today."  A lot of the ward members were surprised to see me there, seeing as I gave them very little notice.  But it was worth the look on their faces as I saw them and they saw me unexpectedly. 
The last convert I was able to baptize before I left the mission stood up to bear her testimony very first in the meeting.  Beverly did a beautiful job and brought tears to my eyes to hear her bear a powerful testimony.  If you read the previous posts you'll know it took a lot of faith and prayers to see her baptism happen, but it was very spiritual.  I stood up after her and bore my testimony of the restoration, and it was SO AMAZING being able to look out to that congregation and remember how each individual touched my life by their strong examples.
I saw other converts there such as Joey, Lisa, George, and others.  Being able to see them still strong brought me SO much gratification in the hard work I gave into my mission. 
One particular experience I wanted to share was with George and Pua.  This was one family that had fallen inactive, George was a non member, and they had no interest in the church.  Shortly before I arrived the missionaries invited them to church and they began to attend.  I was blessed to be a part of the conversion process for George and see the family re-activated.  When I was with Elder Coffin, we invited George and Pua to read the Book of Mormon from front to back.  I even challenged Pua to a reading contest (She is a fast reader).  Needless to say she read it twice by the time I finished once.  I took the time to sit down with their family while I was back and catch up with them.  They are still doing so well!!! Pua is a Primary teacher and George has received the Melchizedek priesthood (The higher priesthood).  I loved being able to see the FULL circle of my work and see what was accomplished by their faith!
When I returned home, my Utah State tie was left behind in Hawai'i.  Bro. Keeler thought it would be funny to skype him "Burning" my tie.  I was horrified as I watched my tie catch fire.  Later on I received it in the mail and he burned a tie that looked very similar to it.  Well, he let me borrow his car on Kaua'i, so I decided to put USU stickers on his car :).
The Hawaii Honolulu Mission is still doing AMAZING, President Dalton informed me they had about 140 baptisms in July and were on track for over 100 in August.  The Lord is working WONDERS in those islands.
Anyways, this is my report, and I apologize again for the lack of posting.  I promise to do better :) I'll keep up with it!! Thanks so much for all the Love and Aloha I felt being back in the islands and I CAN NOT wait till I return.

I am so sorry for the lack of posting!! As you know the regular life after a mission gets pretty busy!! Work, friends, getting ready for school, and everything else!!
Well on that note, my dear sweet sister made a video for me from my mission!! I hope you enjoy it!!!
I promise to do a longer post this week!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQF-FLlpF94&feature=share

A Two Year Dream

Thus has ended my two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. These past two years has felt simply like a dream. It slipped right by and before I knew it, here I am at home typing my "concluding" mission entry. It feels like yesterday, December 9, 2009 that I typed my first entry as a full time missionary, and within that span of time, I have seen many miracles and amazing things happen. I served my last year in two areas, and they became my two favorite areas. Kaneohe 3/6, and Lihue Kaua'i. The Kaneohe 3/6 area was such a terrific area and I truly learned how to love others, and how to develop charity towards my fellow brethren. I served 7 months in the Lihue ward, where I found many people who became like my family.
My whole mission was filled with people who would change my life, and I hope that I have changed theirs. When I first began, the hardest thing I did was to say goodbye to my family and leave 19 years of my life behind. Now after two years, the hardest thing I had to do was say goodbye to my other family in Hawai'i. To put the official stamp on my last entry I would like to post lyrics to a song titled "The Hardest Thing I've Ever Loved To Do"

The hardest thing I ever loved to do
was letting go of everything I ever knew
nineteen years of dreams left in my room
as I buttoned up the jacket of my suit
The hardest word I’ve ever loved to say
was goodbye to my mom and walk away
choking on my tie and on my tears
as I walked down the hall into those years
the sweetest song I’ve ever loved to sing
filled the MTC on angel’s wings
the chorus filled my soul 5000 strong
and I wished it would just go on and on
the firmest hand I’ve ever loved to shake
was my trainer’s with that big grin on his face
he grabbed my bag and put his arm ‘round me
and whispered
"I’m gonna work those Mr. Macs right off your feet"
The hardest words I’ve ever anguished for
came just before some lady slammed her door
my trainer left me hanging out to dry
ans a minute of painful silence rolled right by
but the hardest tears I ever loved to cry
fell as I opened up my mouth and testified
between the tiny walls of a stranger’s living room
the Spirit told their hearts my words were true
the most wonderful sound I’ve ever heard
is the sound of water running in the church
as someone I’d come to love got dressed in white
my eyes saw their first glimpse of Heaven’s light
the hardest thing I’ve ever come to see
is a man down on his knees in agony
a drop of blood falls down on olive leaves
and for a moment he suffers there for me
the hardest thing I’ve ever loved to do
was getting on this plane and coming home to you
in a million ways completely torn apart
as a land so far away still owns my heart
in the most sincere prayer I’ve ever prayed
I thank my God for each and every day
for the blessing of the man I’ve come to be
as I walk up and kiss my mama’s cheek.

I am so grateful for the time I had to serve, and I know that God lives and He sent His son Jesus Christ to prepare a way for us to return to live with Him. I promise all of you if you follow His teachings and His commandments, you truly will be taken care of. I know this for a fact!!! I love this gospel and Jesus Christ. Mele Kalikimaka!!

P.S. Don't worry, I'll still be doing a blog :)

Final Week As A Full-Time Missionary

ALOHA!!
What a week what a week!! It was my final full week as a missionary. I gave up, I didn't work much this week. What's the point? Going home in a week, it was tough, so I just kinda..slept a lot!! Just Kidding!!WE HAD A BAPTISM!!! I was hoping so hard I would have a baptism before I left, and I did!! It was for Beverly L***!! She was baptized on Saturday and it was a very special experience!! We fasted with her last Sunday to help things get moving, and she told us on Tuesday she'd do everything it takes to get baptized on Saturday! She asked me to perform the ordinance, and so it was a deep honor for me to be able to do that for her. It was an awesome, awesome week!! So
Beverly was baptized :)
Rest assured, I worked hard don't worry haha. We were able to get things done, and in the process I was able to get ready for my flight next week. Sunday was a rather special day too. We had the confirmation of Beverly, and then I was able to say goodbye to a lot of members. Kalaheo ward held a farewell party for me and Sister Kamada (she's leaving the area) too. I was able to see a lot of the members from my greenie area!! Not a lot of missionaries get to do that haha. On top of that, I got to call a bunch of members to invite them to the airport on Thurday evening. It was good to talk to members again such as the Pasikala's, Jackola's, Barkdull's, and Jay's. Many more too, I made a lot of phone calls!! Well, for this upcoming final week, I will spend tomorrow in the field, but than will fly to O'ahu on Wednesday. From there we'll go to the Temple, Polynesian Culture Center, and the Swap Meet. Thursday, we'll get to go to Pearl Harbor and see the USS Missouri, Arizona, and Bowfin Submarine! Than I'll fly out at 10 pm to land in Salt Lake City in the morning. What a ride it has been these past 2 years, from Kaua'i to O'ahu to Utah, to O'ahu, and back to Kaua'i. I can't believe 2 years have passed. I thank ALL of you for your support and encouragement the past 24 months, and am eternally grateful for this opportunity I have had to serve on a mission. I'm grateful for all the members, investigators, miracles, and the hand of God that has been involved in this work so many times!! I know without a doubt this church is true, and that Jesus is our Savior. I love Him and am grateful for His love.
I'll see you all this week.

Much love and Aloha

This is the last post by Elder Travis' mom. From this point on he will be posting after he gets home and is released from being a full-time missionary. We're so pleased that he will be returning with honor soon.
Elder Travis' Mom

"My Heart Is In Kauai And I Love It Here"

Alooooha

How are ya'll doing this week?

We had quite a week!! We had my final zone conference. It was a good Christmas Zone Conference. We watched "17 Miracles", and it was quite a movie. It made me cry, it was very powerful and I truly am proud of my ancestors who crossed the plains in the snow. What courage that took. We are soo so lucky to not have to suffer with any of this. We are SO blessed these days to have a better sense of "Freedom of Religion" than the poor saints in the 1800's.

Yesterday was my final fast and testimony meeting with the ward. I got up and thanked the ward for all the support they've given me. They have grown to become my family, and I love them so much for all they've done for me. Next week will be a very emotional goodbye as I officially say goodbye on Sunday.
(Pictured above: Elder Travis with the Stake Presidency in Kauai)

We have been working with Beverly, and she just wants to get baptized so bad, but she has those small things to work out. So we decided to fast with her on Sunday for a hope that a miracle could happen!! We fasted together and now we are full or prayers that she may be baptized sometime soon. I'm hoping for one final miracle to end my mission. But if not, it's in the Lord's hands and I continually see miracles every day!!
It is very weird to think that my mission will be ending next week and I'll be back in Utah. This is my last week before I fly to O'ahu and get ready for my flight home. I have very mixed emotions, even as I write this, to those thoughts. Only missionaries leaving the mission can understand, I want to stay, my heart is in Kaua'i, and I love it here, but on the same end, it's time to go home and get to a normal life and begin a new journey. But on the same end, I love this gospel so much I want to dedicate every day to living it like I have as a missionary. It's just weird, but it will be good to be with family once again, especially for Christmas.Aside from that, things are going good, and this week will be filled with goodbyes and farewells. I am excited for Sunday when Kalaheo ward (my first area) will hold a farewell party for me, and I'll get a chance to say goodbye to them. That same day I get to call members from my old areas on O'ahu (Kailua, Kahala, and Kaneohe) to invite them to see me off at the airport!

Well, I love you all and thanks for all you've done for me. I love this gospel and know it's true!! Hope to see you at my homecoming in two weeks and to talk to you soon!!

"What A Week"

Alooooha!

What a week, what a week. First off, you wouldn't believe this, but Hawaii actually gets cold in the winter time. The temp has dropped to about 70 degrees with a 'lil bit of a windy breeze. I'm actually cold right now. We don't turn on the fans and keep the A/C to a minimum. My feet are cold right now, I'm trying to stay warm. How, oh how will I survive a winter in Utah? Pray for me...haha

We had a pretty good week!! Things with Beverly are still good, she really wants to get baptized. It's just the last obstacle we're trying to work through. She'll make it someday though!!
We found a new lady to teach, Pam! She's a nice lady, she approached us in WalMart and told us to come by, so we did!! We taught her part of the Restoration last night and invited her to church. She said she would come. She lives within walking distance of the church and so she is super close. She's a nice elderly lady.

We also met a girl named Brianne. She was at our dinner appointment last night, and so we sat down and had a good lesson with her!! We taught her the Plan of Salvation, and it answered a lot of questions she had. She's been taught a lot from other churches and was confused on a few concepts, we tried to help her understand. She has great potential to be baptized!! Maybe before I leave? We'll see haha. She's a freshmen in High School and is a nice girl!

We have Zone Conference tomorrow. My last one too, I'll be giving my last testimony too, that's going to be kinda weird but...it's time I guess! We are having Christmas Zone Conference, so it will be kinda...unreal. It is hard to believe I have 2 full weeks left. I'll say the same thing next week too..

Thanksgiving was really good too. We had three dinners, my goodness that stuffed me haha. I gained like 5 lbs, but I worked it off with the good 'ol Turkey Bowl!! (Go Aggies!!!!)

Other than that, that was it!! Time has been crazy fast, and I'm working hard till the end. I love you all and thanks for all your support!!!

Hope to hear from you soon!!!!

Love and Aloha,

"Trunky" Papers

Aloooha!

How are you doing?!
This week has been weird. First off, I received my "trunky" papers which tells you your flight information, as well as your schedule for the last few days as a missionary!! I'll fly to O'ahu on the 14th of December, than hit up PCC (Polynesian Culture Center) and the temple and Swap meet. Thursday, I'll see Pearl Harbor, than head off to the airport on my way home. Very weird to even think about.

Three more weeks remain as a missionary, 3 full weeks at least. It's very sad to see time come so close to an end, but I'll say the same thing next week, than the next, than the next. It is very fast! As always.

We had a wonderful dinner at the Marriott with a family touring from California. We went to Dukes, which was a super, super nice place. I was on exchanges with Elder Turina that night, so we feasted on the food that was there. It was delicious!!!
Beverly is doing good. We had her baptism scheduled for this past week, but it fell through because we're trying to help her live a special commandment which includes not living in the same place as your boyfriend, only if you're married. So we are trying to help her, once she does that she is good to go!! She is a wonderful lady and the ward really loves her!!! She definitely wants to get baptized!!
We have Thanksgiving coming up this week as well. We have dinner with three families, and one of those might include Kendall. Not sure if you'll remember him from a couple months ago. But there is a possibility there could be a baptism this week. He wants to, I know that much, we just need to set it up!!!

Other than that, we have so much potential for baptisms in Lihue these last few weeks, we just need to get it moving. I have faith that there will be at least one before I leave.

Thanks for all your support and I look forward to hearing from you, if anything in 3 weeks.


I also want to issue a challenge: that is to seek for a testimony of our living day prophet, Thomas S. Monson. The best way to develop this testimony is to study his teachings (lds.org) and to sincerely pray and ask if he has been selected as a special witness of Jesus Christ. The reason I issue this is because if we can have a firm testimony that he is a prophet and God speaks to him, than when Thomas S. Monson has some special council to give us we will be ready to listen and heed to the calls or warnings he gives us!!


I love you all and thanks again for all you do!!!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Grateful To Be A Missionary

Aloooha!!!

What a week!!! This was a fun week!! We've been working so hard for a baptism. I hope to have at least one more before the mission is over. It's God's will though and I've been so lucky to see so many already!!!

We had ZLC on O'ahu yesterday. I saw a lot of good friends like Elder Garritson, Elder Coffin, Elder Taylor, Elder Edwards, and others. I had to give my dying testimony in ZLC and that was a very awkward feeling. Getting ready to leave is VERY bittersweet. I've worked hard my last 2 years in the mission, and I have grown to love it here SO much. But I can feel that it's time to go back and get to normal life too. As much as I want to stay and work here, I can tell it's time for me to be back in Utah. I hope that makes sense.By the way family, thanks so much for taking the family pictures. That means a lot to me!! I've done something with them and will show you when I get home.

We are still working with Beverly. She really wants to get baptized, she just needs to do something about her family situation!! She's super solid though and really amazing. We're working on a few others as well, we have potential for baptisms, we just have to get them moving. We're going to work hard for it in November, and hopefully December!!!

Thanksgiving is coming up next week!! I'm excited because I will be able to spend time with families that mean a lot to me!! It will be a fun day!!

Aside from those things, that is really it. Not too much to really report, I'm just working hard to trying my best to see many great things happen.


We also saw Elder Dalit off on his mission to New Zealand. He's going to be such a a great missionary and is going to do so much good for the people there. I'm so excited for him and whoever his companions are going to be are very, very lucky!! He's going to be the BEST missionary because he's humble, and has the spirit!!! I love the kid!!I'm so grateful to be a missionary and to have served here in the mission of Hawaii for the past 24 months. I love this gospel and know with ALL of my heart it is TRUE. Voices have proclaimed to me otherwise and tried to distract and tear me down!! But I know, because God has told me, that the Book of Mormon is true. I will never deny it! I promise the world if they read it sincerely and pray about it, they WILL come closer to Christ in ways they never have before. I love our Savior Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. They will always be my first priority in life, and I will always be grateful for their unconditional love.

Love you all and hope all is well!

"It's Completely Worth Every Minute"

Aloooooha!!!

How are ya'll doing??Man, Hawaii is amazing, that's all I'll say!! First off, I can't believe that my 23-month mark is coming on Wednesday. That means I have 1 more month to serve as hard as I can!! It's kinda interesting how some people say, "That's a long time to just go teach people!" But I always tell them, it's completely worth every minute and day. When we see people change their life completely for God, it's worth it. To see that person become happier, and more peaceful, I know I'm doing my job as a missionary.
In my email last week I mentioned Brayden and his baptism. It didn't go through because his mother was in the hospital the whole day. So we tried to reschedule, and so the day of his baptism (Saturday) it STORMED!!! Stormed like I've never seen here on Kaua'i!! Rain like crazy, flash floods, THUNDER as loud as heaven, it was wild. So it was canceled. We'll work with him, and hopefully soon he'll agree. We're praying for him!!
We've begun teaching this wonderful lady named Beverly. Our first lesson with her was on Tuesday and she said that for years she's been searching for a church that offers peace and happiness. She's been baptized many times, but can't seem to find the church she believes Jesus Christ established 2000 years ago. She came to the "Mormon" church with her member boyfriend and she says her search has ended. We've scheduled a baptism for her this month and she is so excited for that day. She's wonderful and is such a nice lady. She's older, but is like a grandma to us!! Her boyfriend's ex-wife was the one that passed away from a bad accident last month where our former Bishop was involved. If I mentioned it, after priesthood session we gave a blessing to our former Bishop because he got in a bad car wreck where a lady was killed. That was his ex-wife. So that's drawn him back to the church which is another cool story to see. They are happy and excited about "Eternal Families" and how they can live together as a family forever.
Aside from those, we are working to have a good month here in November. We're praying for some miracles to happen because I'd love to finish my mission on a strong note. And if we don't have too many than that's ok!! I've been so blessed to see so many people come closer to Christ here in Lihue. I am so grateful for this gospel and I KNOW it is true. I know Joseph Smith saw God our Heavenly Father again, and His son Jesus Christ. He was led by direct communication on how to restore Christ's church YEARS after it was lost. I'm grateful we have the Book of Mormon to provide a solid evidence of this truth. Anyone who reads it sincerely will come to know these same things by themselves.

Love you all and hope to hear from you soon!!!!