Dear Family!

WOW!! Reading your emails today were a blast. Its so good to read everything you've been up to and all the exciting things going on in your lives. I just want to say thanks so much for everything and it was nice to read about your week. But WHAT?! I cant believe its snowing there!!!! That's so crazy...I'm sorry. I cant believe it because its so HOT here. Mom I'm sure your not too happy haha.

There is a lot to tell you. Well first things first....Elder Fanguna didn't leave last Friday. The missionary that was supposed to come here had problems and wont be coming. They are trying to find a new missionary and will have to wait until he gets his passport to come here. So Elder Fanguna will be staying another week or so. So I don't have as much time as I wanted to email you guys but I do have more than last week.

Thank you so much for saying happy birthday and everything. It really is weird that I'm already 20 years old. It doesn't really feel like it....I bet it makes you guys feel old too! Well Saturday was a great day. It didn't feel that much like my birthday but the members told me happy birthday. Elder Fanguna was nice and gave me two really nice ties, and a member made me a birthday cake. I'm sorry mom to say but I didn't receive the package yet....its really okay and I will check to see if the post office has it today. If not then it will probably come next Friday on the plane for sure. Sunday the Hekaus made me a really nice cake, ice cream, and a really fancy dinner for my birthday. They all sang to me and they were really nice. Well my birthday was extremely different this year than in the past but it was amazing. It truly was incredible because I'm in the service of the Lord. It made me feel so happy to know that on my birthday I got to be on a mission serving my Heavenly Father. We just did normal teaching and visiting and I just was really happy all day. I got to read Sam Smith's letters she sent me on my birthday so that was fun. I know you really wanted to tell me happy birthday mom and I just want to let you know that you kinda did. On Saturday we email president so when I got into my email I saw your email that said happy birthday. It meant a lot. I love you so much. I know you all missed me and I felt your love and wishes for me on Saturday. I missed you all so much but it was a great day. Thanks again for everything.

I'll just go over a little what happened this week. This past week the members had thrown a lot of goodbye parties for Elder Fanguna since they thought he was leaving. They had me kill another pig hahaha. The parties were really cool, we watched a lot of dance entertainment and got to eat heaps of really good food. Thursday we prepared for him leaving and then got the call he wasn't after all. He was so happy because he loves this place. We had some lessons and it was a great day.

Friday was a very cool day. We had 4 incredible lessons. The spirit was very strong. Our investigators are progressing good...well some. I know Suta will probably get baptized soon. I can feel the spirit so strong and I know he knows the church is true.
Then on Saturday, like I said was great, we had 3 really good lessons, visited a lot of people, and everyone was so kind in wishing me a happy birthday.

Sunday we finally finished watching General Conference. It was very good and the spirit was strong. We had a big birthday lunch with the Hekaus and they made me a cake. We also had some lessons and found someone we are going to teach and it looks really good that we will probably baptize her. We had good success this week and I know the Lord is blessing us.

Well I will answer some of your questions. President Porter did tell me I'll be the senior companion when the new missionary comes so we'll see when he does. Oh yeah President and his family called me on my birthday and sang to me. They wished me a happy birthday and told me they loved me. It was so nice. My cough is much better. I went to the doctor and they said I had a minor throat infection. They gave me anti-biotics and I've been taking them. My throat is much better now.

oh yeah mom I get to give a lot of blessings here in Niue. The members always call the missionaries whenever someone is sick. Like on my birthday I gave a blessing to a really sick member.

Sorry this email is so random its just it seems like a lot has happened. I can't believe this week is the last week of school! That's so crazy! Well have a great summer! I'm sure Ryan, Jami and Kaylee are really excited. I'm glad to hear they all made the honor roll! Congrats guys!! :) :)
Well I just wanted to say thanks mom for up dating me with my friends. I never got to say much about Cams call! That is so cool you guys got to watch him open his call. I can't believe he's going to Colorado! That's awesome and I'm so happy for him and its great he gets to learn Spanish. I really am going to write him a letter soon...I think today. But if you get a chance tell him I'm so happy and excited for him. Also about Logan's call...Costa Rica! That's awesome, and James' call!! Texas!! wow that is crazy!! All my friends are leaving and getting their calls it seems like all at once. I'm so happy for all of them and wish I could tell me congrats! I know all my friends will love their missions. And I feel bad about not writing Kenzy for a while. I'm glad you got to see her.

Well there is so much going on and so much more I want to write about. I wish we could write for hours or talk. It seems like a lot is going on back home. I'm sad I wont be able to attend any of my friends mission farewells. You should go and tell me how they were. Well I really do feel horrible for not writing any family yet....Grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles. I really do love them with all my heart and wish I had the time to write each one of them a letter. I'm going to try and do better. Maybe next week I will save an email for my grandparents. JUST Please let them know that I love all 4 of them with all my heart! I miss them like crazy! I'm so grateful for everything they do especially helping me out on my mission. Tell them thanks and I love them for me please.

Well I hate to say goodbye but I need to go. I love reading emails and catching up on everything. Just know I'm doing very well, my birthday was great, and my mission is changing my life. I miss you all so very much. And I love you all. I truly am grateful for everything you guys do mom and dad. I'm sorry I cant write more but thank you. Your the best parents ever. I'm glad your week is going great. Please have another incredible week. Be safe, have fun and just know I love and miss you. May the Lord bless our family as I serve Him. You mean everything to me and I'm truly grateful to call myself your son. Have a wonderful week.

With much love....Your missionary son, Elder Kitchen

Elder Kitchen finally writes.....yeah!

Wow Hello from Niue my Family!!
Man it feels like its been a while since I've e mailed you. I missed reading your e mails and telling you all about mine. Thanks so much for sending me such wonderful emails and I loved reading them. It sounds like a lot of exciting things have happened over there and it was so good to read all of them. Well I've been pretty good....some ups and downs. A lot of things have happened that I want to tell you but I don't have a lot of time today. So I'm not going to go into much detail. Next week when Elder Fanguna is gone we are going to spend extra time E-mailing so I can catch up.

Well it was so good talking to you guys on the phone. I've missed hearing your voices. I loved every second of the call but it seemed way too short. I miss you all so much. It was so hard to get off the phone for me. I got so emotional and I know all of you did also. I'm very glad we got to talk and I could tell mom happy mothers day. After wards it was really hard and I got home sick but I'm doing a lot better now.

Well since I don't have a lot of time I'll just tell you some of the things that has been going on over here in Niue for me and then next week I will answer questions and reply to your emails. I'm so sorry I have to do this, I feel really bad. Well my week has been crazy. Some exciting things, some hard things, some awesome, and others bad. We did a ton of service at the beginning of last week, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and we did service all day Tuesday. We planted a lot of Taro (which is really hard work), picked up heavy rocks, gathered twigs, tore down an old shed and burned it all, and did a lot of work in the bush like gathering coconut leaves for members. Wednesday we did a ton of service too, cutting grass, and even did a lot of concrete (cement) work, and we cemented a members driveway. We have done a ton of service this week. Well I guess I worked too hard, didn't drink enough water, or got heat exhaustion, but I got sick. Wednesday evening I started to feel weak and like I was getting sick. And then on Thursday I woke up really sick. Almost all day Thursday I just slept, I was in bed all day. I wasn't extremely sick but I just didn't want to get worse so we took the day off so I could rest. A really nice member named Robin took really good care of me. Well Friday when I woke up I still felt sick so I could do missionary work but we didn't do any service. Now I am not sick except I STILL have a bad cough. I am going to go to the doctors to see if I have a throat infection, I just wont stop coughing. But please don't worry about me...the doctors here are very good and medical treatment is free. So they will give me or treat me to make it all better.

On Wednesday I also got to give a blessing to a sick member in the hospital. It was amazing. The spirit worked through me and told me exactly what to say. It was a very spiritual experience and a powerful blessing. He is doing great now. It truly was a miracle and I know that blessings are real, miracles can still happen, and the Priesthood Power of God is real. I know if we have the priesthood and have faith and according to the will of God anything is possible. Oh yeah and long story short: The nose flute used to be very popular here, like it started in Niue or something....it eventually was a lost cultural thing and no body did it here anymore. Well Elder Fanguna knows how to make them and play. So with the help of the members and the cultural Niue people, Elder Fanguna brought the nose flute back to Niue. So on Wednesday we did a really cool workshop. We learned how to make them, then we made nose flutes, then we learned how to play them. It was awesome. So guess what, I know how to play the nose flute. I'll have to tell you more about it next week.

UGH........Elder Fanguna just told me we have to go because we have to do something....man there is so much more to tell you. I'll just list some things and then I will have to explain and go into detail next week.

Last Saturday we baptized Pita!!!! It was incredible! My first baptism on Niue.
Sunday was cool some great things happened.
Its Elder Fanguna's last week on the island. He leaves Friday. My new companion comes Friday. His name is Elder Hoko and he is from Tonga.
I'm starting to prepare to be the senior companion, I'm a little nervous, I'm starting to practice driving the manual van because I'm going to drive....its hard because its the opposite side of road and MANUAL.
Well my birthday is this Saturday!! WOW 20 years old. I haven't gotten the package but I will this Friday so the day before my birthday.
Well I'm sorry again I promise I'll make it up next Monday!!
I love you all so much. I miss you. thanks for everything. Thanks for saying happy birthday! Its going to be different but I'll still love it. Have a great week. And know I love everyone of you.
Love Elder Kitchen

Faka Lofa Lahi Atu Family!!
How the heck are you guys this week?! I hope everything is going great. It sounds like it from your letters. I cant believe I will get to talk to all of you on the phone this Sunday!! I'm really excited. I can remember our last time during Christmas and we said its going to be 5 months until the next time we get to talk to each other, and now its almost here! Can you believe I've been on my mission for almost 6 months!! That's crazy huh....almost 1/4 of the way done with my mission. And my birthday is coming up too! I cant believe I'm going to be 20 years old...its weird to think. Well thanks again for everything. I love everything you do for me and you really are the best family.

Well my week this week was pretty good. Last Monday on P-day we went golfing again! It was really fun and I did good. It's cool to golf and sometimes the golf ball hits a palm or coconut tree instead of a pine tree! We also did some other fun things and I got to write some of my friends letters. Tuesday was a pretty normal teaching day. We had some lessons and helped our investigators. Wednesday we had another really good teaching day. The spirit was definitely with us and it helped me know exactly what to say several times as we tried to help one of our investigators with her concerns. Thursday we did some service and helped a lot of people out. We didn't teach much. Friday was kind of a long day and we didn't have much success teaching or helping people out. We played volleyball again just like every Friday. I'm getting better slowly....man the islanders are just so dang good at volleyball. Saturday we did a TON of service. We did service from 7:00 a.m. until about 2:00 pm! We helped so many members and investigators cut their grass, do yard work, and anything we could help with. This mission is definitely teaching me how to work really hard. So when I get back I will be able to work a ton on our yard and it will feel like a piece of cake haha. I feel bad because some of the people here are so poor and they don't have anyway to cut their grass so we go help them. I don't know if I ever said this but yeah there is a lot of poor people here. They have really small, not nice at all, and falling apart houses. This mission has taught me in so many ways to be extremely grateful for the things I have. It has humbled me a lot and I realize we have so much back home. We are truly blessed by unmeasurable amounts. We watched the morning session of general conference Saturday night too. It was so good, I took so many notes and learned so much. Church yesterday was great. Guess what! I bore my testimony in Niuean! A member wrote me a short and simple testimony in Niuean and I just read it at church. I didn't pronounce everything that great but it was still a cool experience and all the members said I did great. That was basically my week. The work here is progressing slowly. We still are having so many trails with our investigators. They are having a lot of trouble keeping the commitments and some of them are ready for baptism but we have other problems with their family or village. But me and Elder Fanguna will keep praying and having faith.

It sounds like everything is going great with you guys. I miss you all a lot. I'm glad we get to talk on the phone and I can hear all your voices. I really do sometimes wish you could all be here experiencing these incredible things with me but I'm glad you get to read them and see some of the pictures. I'm glad you all loved my letters to each of you, I loved writing them.

Well I wish I could just tell you more but as always I don't have a ton of time. I just want you to all know I love reading your e mails. It means so much to me to read that your all doing good, loving life, and having so many cool things happen. I'm so thankful for all the nice things you tell me and all the encouragement you give me. It means so much to me and I love reading them. Thanks also just for everything. Your the best family ever. I can feel your prayers and pray everyday that the Lord will bless you all. Keep being safe, happy, and enjoying everything about life. Just know I love you all so much. I miss you like crazy, and I'm so grateful to be apart of your family. I will talk to you on the phone on Sunday! Make sure you write down things you want to ask me or whatever! I love you.
Love Elder Kitchen

Elder Kitchen dances for money!

Hello family!!
How are you guys?! Man sometimes it feels like the weeks fly by and its already time to email you again....and others feel like it will never end. My mission really is a once in a life time opportunity. Its changed my life and I'm learning so much. I really miss all of you so much though and I miss my friends and everyone. You know how social and loving person I was and its hard not to be with any of the people I loved before my mission. But I keep going forward and I just love my mission. I'm sorry again for taking another day to email you guys. Hopefully next week the Internet will be fixed so we will be able to e mail on Monday and have more time. I know you don't love when I do this but its so crazy here and today we aren't really supposed to email so I don't have a lot of time.

First of all I'm so glad you all got my letters and pictures. I truly meant everything I said in the letters. I'm sorry its been a while since I wrote each of you a hand written letter. I'm glad now I have its just so crazy on a mission. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. I loved all the experiences behind each one. I wish I could be there and tell you about them. And about the videos I have a lot more and better ones than those. I didn't send them because I thought I would watch them with you when I get home. The ones you watched weren't supposed to be there. But the old guy and lady are a long story, they are just really funny nice old members. Me and my companion just had a really funny time the last dinner before I left to Niue. Mom, the lady is the one that called you, her name is sister Chote, and the old guy is the one I was telling you about named Raymond. He is awesome and so funny you need to meet him someday.

Thanks so much mom for all you do about updating me on my friends. I really love to hear about them too because I have been really bad at writing them. I have finished a letter to Devan and right now I'm writing one to James. I'm trying to do better now. Thanks for all the pictures too they were awesome. I cant believe Devan already had his farewell....man its crazy. And I wonder about Sam....I really wanna know if she got my letter....I sent her one and she never replied. I hope shes all right with Dustin going on a mission.

Well for you family it seems like everything is going great. I bet your all excited for summer to come around the corner, and also for some vacations and things. It sounds like Ryan had a great time at prom. I remember all my fun experiences at prom. Tell Ryan just to love every second of high school because it ends fast. I'm glad grandma and grandpa and Paulette could look at my pictures. That's so awesome. You should invite other family and some of my friends to come see. I bet you all just loved the pictures. I should have taken more in New Zealand....I didn't take much but I will when I go back there.

Well I've heard from members all the bad things happening around the world. So many natural disasters. Wow its the signs of the times for sure. But luckily Niue is fine and we haven't experienced that bad of weather. Hurricane season is almost over so that's good. Its also cooling down a little here....I'm so glad because its too hot here. Wow, I've heard just a bunch of cool things have been happening. Sometimes you think because you went on a mission the whole world stops. But it doesn't. I just have to not think about it to much. Whats new with you guys? Sounds like a lot has happened. That's so sad about the Rippy family. That's horrible.....I feel so bad.....I can't believe all the bad stuff has happened to them. I will for sure keep them in my prayers. They are so wonderful people...its sad to see bad things happen to good people....but we know the Lord is in it no matter what. I'm sure Heavenly Father has a reason why he took the little boy back to him.

Well for me this last week was alright again. I'm going through some trials on my mission here in Niue. Its so hard to teach and help investigators with their concerns. I'm trying just to increase my faith and trust in God. Following the spirit to exactness is what I'm trying to do. I just pray so much to help me overcome my trails. The missionary work is going alright but we found out some of our investigators have been lying to us....ugh. Oh well I'm trying to do my best. This week we did a ton of service. We taught less lessons then we usually do. We had a really cool family home evening with some less active Tongan boys. They killed another pig and roasted it for the family night. The spirit was strong...I couldn't understand hardly any of it though because it was in Tongan. Last Sunday was great...we watched Saturday morning and afternoon sessions on conference. Oh yeah on Saturday evening we watched the priesthood session also. We are going to watch the Sunday sessions probably next week or the next. I love watching general conference on my mission. I not only stayed awake the whole time but I payed serious attention and took notes. I learned so much and felt the spirit so strong. I love listening the the prophets and apostles.

Saturday was the main day I wanted to focus on. Well guess what during the week we had been teaching these Niuean boys this dance so they could dance in their village show day on Saturday. Well Elder Fanguna was teaching them,and he said I was going to learn it to so we could perform in it. It was the same Figian war dance we performed before and another new dance I've never done before. Okay so we prepared for the dance and got all ready Saturday morning. We went to the show day and let me tell you, the islander show days are crazy!! There is so many people at them....there is stands everywhere and people are selling food, arts and crafts, and teaching people how to do cultural things. There is also a lot of cool islander music and entertainment. Its really cool and offers a ton of cultural experiences. Well we got all dressed up in our customs, we had black paint on our faces, a lava lava on, a pig tooth necklace, banana leaves around our legs, and some cool black shirts on. We all looked sweet. There was 8 of us all together. We went back stage and waited for our turn to perform on stage. I could see the stage and was watching all the other performances. Wow it was awesome to watch all the different islander culture dances. All the customs were awesome. There were so many people there watching, and they were video taping the whole thing. At this point I was nervous because we didn't even practice that much, I'm not good at the islander dancing because I'm not an islander, and there were so many people. I just thought, whatever this is a cool experience and just have fun. So it was time for us to go. We all started walking out the go to the stage. Everyone was cheering so loud. Elder Fanguna and the other boys were yelling out these islander calls. Then we went on stage. The music started playing! I started dancing the first song. Everyone was cheering and laughing and having a good time. I was just smiling and I didn't do that good. But it was just so fun. It was such a cool experience. Then guess what?! its a part of islander culture to go up and put money either in a basket at the front of the dancers or just go and stick it somewhere on the dancer. So as I was dancing people stated sticking money on me!!!! HAHAHA!! it was so funny. Well then we did the other Figian war dance. It was awesome. I had so much fun and just didn't care what people thought of me. I can't even describe my feelings. Well long story short everyone loved the dance, and people took a lot of pictures. I guess what I got 80 dollars!! Well the only bad thing was I forgot my camera in the car. I wanted to go back but we didn't have time. But luckily this TV station in Niue recorded the whole thing so I'm going to buy a DVD so we can watch me dance and remember that experience.

Wow I've taken more time than I can. I have to go now. I hope you like this e mail. Well thanks so much for all you do. I love you all more than anything. Your the best family. I'm so excited to talk to you on Mothers Day. What day is it exactly....I don't know whats going on about that but ill find out and tel you next Monday. I'm glad I got to e mail you...I thought maybe I wasn't going to be able to.
Well have a great week. Keep being who you are. I love you so much. Thanks for everything. Until next week. Be safe and have a good week. I love ya
Love Elder Kitchen

*PS-I added more photos on the previous 3 posts, scroll down to see more photos!

Faka Lofa Atu Family!

I'm sorry it has taken me this long to e mail you guys! I hope you weren't worried or whatever. We were extremely busy doing service and helping the people out we had no time to e mail yesterday so we decided to do it today. We had some problems with our Internet but we worked something out....that's why it taken so long.

I love to read your e mails each week and read what you all have been doing. Thanks so much for all the things you tell me and up dates on everything. I really enjoy reading them. How has our family been this week? It sounds like you've been doing really good. School and work are probably really busy and crazy still. Is snowboarding over yet? or is there still snow? So you've already had spring break so now your on your last leg of school and then you'll all have a break. I bet your really excited for summer and the nice weather. What are you guys doing this summer? Any fun vacations planned or cool things you've already planned for summer so far? It feels weird sometimes not being in Utah and seeing all my friends and especially you guys. I miss everything so much and sometimes I start thinking about memories from the past but I just stop myself and move on. That's only sometimes though. I love my mission and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Well my last week was alright. It wasn't that great. Some of our investigators are not progressing as well as I would want. Two of our investigators (Yoka and Elijah) set for this Saturday pushed their dates back. They are not ready and having some word of wisdom issues. Some of the things this week were really hard too....the islanders are just so laid back and chill people sometimes its hard to work with them. We found out Yoka has been lying to us and she still has word of wisdom issues. I got a little discouraged because some of the things that happened this week but I'm okay now. I just have to keep having faith, qualify for miracles, and trust in the Lord. I pray so much. I just want to help these amazing people so bad and its hard to see them not keep commitments. Satan is still definitely here on the island of Niue.

Last Monday was awesome. We got to go fishing in the ocean. It was so cool because the water was so clear and the fish were so beautiful. We were fishing in the reef, and the fish were so cool. You could see them eating your bait in the water and catching them. I never caught any fish because it was so hard. They would just eat my bait off but not get hooked. It was still really fun though. We saw a huge reef shark too! It was so cool. They tried to get it closer to the surface so we could take pictures. They used dead fish on a pole as bait. It was really cool to just relax and fish and look out into the beautiful ocean. Niue is so cool and there is some really breath taking sites you can see here.

Well this week we did a lot of service, taught lessons, and had some branch activities. We helped a member build his roof on his house. It felt like my building construction class from high school. It brought back good memories and they were surprised I knew so much about building a house. We also helped some other members move, cut some investigators grass, yard work, and a bunch of other service. Well not a whole lot happened this week. So that's pretty much all I can think of.

It was kinda bad weather yesterday. Don't worry or anything but I thought it was going to be a hurricane! HAHA, it wasn't that bad but the ocean was really rough, the coconut trees were blowing so hard in the wind, and there was so much rain. It is good weather today so I don't know why. I've heard a little about some of the natural disasters around the world. There has been a lot since I have been on my mission. Signs of the times huh?

I wish I had time to write some of my friends yesterday. We are only supposed to write friends and family on P day. That's why its so hard because we are usually busy doing other stuff. I really want hear from them. Thanks mom for putting some of the stuff you do hear from them. Its fun to read. That's also really cool about Amy and Bob and Esther and Lindsay going on a cruise. I'm glad they got to do something cool like that. Tell Grandpa and Grandma hello and I love them. Also tell Grandpa Ellsworth happy birthday for me!! :) I miss all our extended family so much. It feels like I haven't seen some of them in forever!

Well that's really cool about prom for Ryan. I wish I could be there to cheer him on and everything. I bet he'll have a lot of fun. Let me know what he did and stuff when you find out. We heard Elder Fanguna will be getting transferred next transfer. So he has 5 more weeks left and then I'll get a new companion. I'll be the senior companion, well at least of the area. I have eaten fish and chips and its really good here. I like fish a lot more now than I used to. Oh yeah and we didn't get to watch general conference yet...I guess they said we are watching it next Sunday. Oh yeah and mom I loved seeing those cool pictures of my friends from last week. I would love it if you could find more and send me some. I would love if you guys would send some of our family too. I am excited for you to all get my pictures also. I hope you all love them.

Yeah well I hope everything is going great with our family. I hope everyone is safe, healthy, and happy. I miss you all so much. I love you all more than anything. Your an incredible family. Mom and dad I love you both so much. Your amazing parents and you've raised me to become the person today. I know I wouldn't be on a mission if it wasn't for you. You've both changed my life and I couldn't ask for better parents. I wish I could be a part of your lives right now. Thank you again for everything. I really loved the Easter package and everything. Well I have to go....I'm sorry. I don't like having to stop emailing. If you can let me know anything about my friends, cousins, Ryan, Jami, Kaylee, and of course you two, I love to hear about everything. Well have a wonderful week. I love you.
Love your son, Elder Kitchen

Faka Lofa Atu Family!!

Hello Family!!
I'm so glad I get to write you this e mail. This first email I'm going to answer your questions from last weeks email and finish telling about last weeks experiences then I'll send one on this week.

There was just a couple of things I wanted to tell you but I never had time last week.
My interview with President Porter went really good. It was a longer interview because he only sees us like once the whole time were here in Niue. He gave me a lot of good advice and encouragement. The next day we dropped their family off at the airport. Man the week President was here went really fast. They loved it here in Niue and I loved having them here. We said good bye and they got on the plane. Right after we dropped them off we headed over to Suta's house to have a lesson with him. When we got there he was trying to help his brother in law carry this huge mom pig into her cage. Well they couldn't do it alone so we decided to help! So we lifted this HUGE dirty muddy mother pig into her cage. We had our nice white shirt and ties on. It was hilarious, mud got everywhere and then we washed it off. It was just a funny experience.
The next day was Sunday and we had a really amazing fireside I didn't get to tell you about. It was a musical fireside all about Jesus Christ because it was Easter Sunday. Wow everyone sang so good and the spirit was so strong. There was a ton of members there and even a lot of non members. I sang a song with Eelder Fanguna, Ben, and Ofa. It went so well, but really the fireside left everyone in tears including the non members. Easter Sunday was just awesome and it'll be an Easter I will never forget.
The very next day (last p day) we went to the early morning branch Easter party. It was so cool. We had a testimony meeting early in the morning and then the kids had a really cool Easter egg hunt. We did some activities and then ate breakfast. It was a really good steak and egg breakfast. Man they cook amazing here...its probably because its so fattening. Well after we did a bunch of activities...we did this really cool group singing competition...it was funny. Then we all played islander music. Awe really it was so chill and relaxing. I laid down in the hammock and they played islander music. It was awesome. Then guess what dad, a member wanted us to play golf with him so we did. He didn't tell us it was a tournament!! So me and Elder Fanguna played in a Niue Golf Tournament! HAHAHA! We played a 4 man scramble. It was really really fun. I played alright and we used my ball some times. Our team got second place out of the whole tournament. We shot 5 under par...I know that score probably shouldn't be good enough to get second place! So last P day was awesome! We were so busy doing that we didn't have time to email much.

Now I will answer your questions from your last email.

Well you asked about General Conference. Here on the island because its so small it didn't play live. What happens is it plays live in New Zealand but then right after it finishes the mission office works really hard to put together DVDs and then they send it over to Niue so the members and us can watch it. We actually just received it today so we'll probably get to watch conference really soon. I'm really excited.

About our meals, most of the time we eat with members. Almost every dinner and a lot of times lunches and breakfasts. They are just amazing at feeding the missionaries here. We like never cook at our house.

Well that's an update on last week.

It sounds like you guys had a blast in St George. I'm so glad you guys could have a chance to go on a fun vacation and play in the nice warm weather. I bet it was really fun to ride bikes, hike, go golfing, and just enjoy family. I'm glad that you got to read my e mail last week with everyone...I bet they just loved it. Man I'm really having experiences I will never forget here. I love this island and the people here. I feel very blessed I get to serve here.

Well this past week has been an incredible week. Two weeks ago I had a extreme culture experience of a lifetime and this week I've had a spiritual week of a life time. I don't have a ton of time but I'll tell you some of the spiritual experiences I had. Ugh I cant remember if I told you but two Fridays ago we set Suta for baptism!! It was an incredible lesson and he is excited to get baptized on May 1st! Well this week on Tuesday we had an very spiritual experience. We got prompted to go see a previous investigator of Elder Fanguna and Elder Whits. Her name was Ane. We started teaching her and finding out what she remembered. She had remembered everything and was still reading the Book of Mormon. Long story short Elder Fanguna was prompted by the spirit to ask her if she wanted to be baptized. She got emotional and said she got an answer that was what she needed to do. So she is also set for May 1st!!
Then on Thursday we had a lesson with Elijah. We have taught him a lot and he has kept every commitment. We had an amazing lesson on the gospel and talked a lot about baptism. We didn't know if we were going to set him. But during the lesson I just got a really strong feeling to ask him, so I did and he said he got an answer that the church is true and whats to become a member!! So Elijah is set for April 24!! Can you believe that? Such incredible miracles the Lord has blessed us with. And it doesn't stop there.
Guess what, we had a lesson with Yoka Peta on Friday and we just started teaching the lesson like normal, and she interrupted us and said Elders...I prayed really hard on what I should do about the divorce with my husband and getting baptized. I got an answer...I want to be baptized by the end of this month!!! so we set her for April 24 as well!!! WOW it was just so amazing. I've felt the spirit so incredibly strong this past week its unreal.

So right now we have 4 people with baptism dates!! That is truly blessings from the Lord and miracles he was given us because of our exact obedience and faith. I really need your prayers especially for these 4 people. Please pray that they will be baptized and that they will overcome Satan's temptations. I would love it if you could.
This week really has been absolutely amazing. Its just so many miracles from our Heavenly Father. I wish I could go into more detail about them just know they were extremely incredible spiritual experiences.

Saturday I got to plant some Taro for the first time. It was cool we went out clear in the bush and did it. It was a cool experience. Sunday was a great day at church. I love blessing the sacrament every week here. Its a cool experience also to be in such a tiny branch compared to our huge ward back home. We did trade offs also. I went with Ofa. We had 3 really good lessons.

I sent the package to you guys with letters I wrote each of you and then two DVDs. It left Niue on Friday on the plane. So let me know as soon as you get it. There is a letter for each of you. And there is a DVD that has all my MTC pictures and New Zealand pictures. And then there's a DVD that has all of my Niue pictures so far. I bet your going to love it. Sorry it took so long...I feel bad you haven't gotten hardly any pictures from me. So your going to get a ton when the package arrives. I'm sure you'll love all the cool pictures.

Oh yeah HAHAHA I got that really funny Hamster Dance Song card you guys sent me. It was hilarious. I opened it and it kinda startled me when it started playing music. I was surprised and then I just laughed so hard. Elder Fanguna thought it was absolutely hilarious. Awe your just the best family ever! I loved the card so much. Thank you. I just love you guys for always thinking about me and sending me cool things like that. That is a hilarious song!!

I finally got the Easter Package today!! WOW!! Thank you so much!! I loved it! You really do send me the coolest packages and they always have so much good things in them. I truly am grateful you send me such cool packages. I loved it. Thanks for the bug spray too. Oh yeah the golden egg was awesome...how did you get New Zealand money?? Well just I love you so much and thanks for sending it. Mom you really made it look so cool and I just love your packages. Your the best.

Well I kinda have to go now....your really an incredible family. I love you all so much. Thanks for all the cool things you send me. I hope you like the letters and the DVD I sent you. I'm so excited to talk to you on mothers day! We have a phone but I don't know exactly how were going to call you. I have to go but I love you so much.
Have a great week. Be safe. And remember to pray for the people here.
Love Elder Kitchen

Elder Kitchen and his wild island adventures!

Happy Easter Family!!
I love you guys all so much and I hope you all had a great Easter! Mine was really good and I got a lot of candy from the members and Easter eggs too. I bet you all had a blast this past week and its good to hear you're all enjoying the sun down in St George. I sometimes wish the sun would go away for a day or two here, it's so hot here! I'm sun burnt right now and I'm getting really tan! Its so weird to have had Easter on a tropical island. I'm really glad your having fun down in St George! Tell everyone hi for me down there and that I love them all so much. I'm so glad to have read your emails today. Sorry I took so long to email...today has been a way crazy, fun, exciting day!! I have been waiting ALL week to send you guys this e mail!! THIS WEEK HAS BEEN EXTREMLY AWESOME!!! I've had some of the most exciting, unique and culturally shocking experiences this week. It's been an incredible week and I loved it so much. Last Monday was a great P-day but we didn't do that much. There was some really good lessons in the evening. Tuesday was a way sweet day, in the morning we did some service with Ben. He is 21 and he just got back from his mission in Cicitbus Islands (I spelt that wrong). Well guess what?!?! we went over to this place and there was a bunch of pig sties (pig pens)and there was all these pigs in them (there is a lot of pigs on the island). Well then they told me we were taking one. They pointed at one of the two pigs and they said "jump in Kitchen!! your going to grab the pig!!" I was like What? haha well so I jumped in. My feet sank in mud and I almost fell. I started walking over to the pigs and THEY FREAKED OUT!! They started screaming and running so fast away from me. Man I probably looked like an idiot running around this muddy pig pen trying to grab a pig. They were laughing at me so hard (mainly laughing with me not at me). It was an experience I've never had, I'll tell ya that. Well I finally grabbed the pigs back legs and pulled it up! It was really making noise at this point. Well I handed the freaking out pig to Elder Fanguna and he took it. We transported it to another pen. After that we went in the jungle and gathered coconuts off the ground. We got A TON of them. it was great. We went back had our studies and then had some lessons. Later that night Elder Fanguna got his fire stick out, lit it on fire and started to practice for tomorrow. Then he gave me it and told me to spin it!!! HAHA well I did! Man it was really hot, I almost burned myself. It was so cool to fire dance, well spin it. We practiced our Fijian dance that we were going to perform tomorrow and then went to bed, we had a big day ahead of us. O MY HECK if you think that was interesting and exciting wait to hear about Wednesday! It was the very best day of the whole week. I had more culture in this one day than in my whole life. It was the coolest experience and I have had so many experiences in my life. Well first off, we went and cut a members grass early in the morning. President Porter and his family came with us. We all were just cutting the grass with weed whackers when all of a sudden it started raining like CRAZY! but we all just kept cutting grass. Then it started to get harder, we were all ready soaked so we just kept going at it. Anyways by the end we were so soaked and just having a great time. We took pictures, and just stood under a rain gutter and got drenched. It was an awesome experience. Then right after President dropped us off at our flat Elder Fanguna said "lets go, we are going to kill the pig now for tonight!" So we hopped on our bikes (president and his family had our van that week) in the pouring rain. Wow it was crazy to ride our bikes in that much rain. Well we got to Ben's house then hopped in the back of his truck and headed up to the place. Well we all got out of the truck and then guess what?!?! THEY SAID I WAS GOING TO KILL THE PIG!!! hahahaha wow!!! They gave me a knife and said lets go your going to stab the pig. Don't worry family I video tapped the whole thing! Well we started to walk over and there was two pigs in the sty. They pointed at the one it was and was like okay Kitchen jump in and get the pig. Wow what an experience. I jumped in again and wrestled until I finally grabbed the pig. WOW it was screaming SO loud. I think it knew it was going to die. So I handed it to Elder Fanguna and he wrestled with it and held it down until I jumped out. Man it was freaking out and Elder Fanguna had trouble keeping a hold of it and not letting it run away. Well at this point my heart was beating So fast. They were both laughing and yelling at me Kitchen grab the knife and stab it!! Hurry Hurry. I felt bad because it didn't die right away. The whole time they were both just laughing so hard at me. It was such a crazy experience. Nothing like I've never had before. I wasn't good at it because I'm used to just shooting animals. Well Jami Kaylee and mom your probably horrified, but they made me do it. I wasn't that sad, it was pretty sweet. I just felt bad when it wouldn't die. Well they made me hold it up and we took pictures. They were all like Kitchen "that's awesome, your first pig." After that we took it over and cleaned it. They blow torched it with fire to burn the hair then they scrapped it off. Then guess what? they made me clean it. I cut it open and scrapped all its organs and insides out. Wow it was a unique experience. .........I'm kinda running out of time and there is so much to tell you so I'm not going to go into detail anymore. We finished cleaning the pig and then guess what. They cooked all its insides, like heart, lungs, liver, tongue, stomach and just everything...and they made me eat some of it!!! SO I ATE PIG ORGANS. I have no idea what I ate, it tasted so weird. Well i did a lot of cool things after, husked a coconut, cut it open, drank the juice, scrapped it out. We then made our customs for the party that night. We made them out of banana leaves and really cool plants. Wow seriously the Niuean Party was amazing. It was absolutely incredible. There was heaps of people, cool music, and a lot of exciting things going on. President Porter and his family loved it. You should have seen how much food there was there! IT was the biggest feast I've ever seen! SO MUCH FOOD. It was so good too. I ate the pig I killed too. Well after the huge feast I got ready to dance. Then guess what I Fijian danced. It was me, Elder Fanguan and two other guys. We were all dressed up in these cool islanders costumes and danced really good. It was an experience I'll never forget. There was tons of people watching me and I had so much fun, it was really cool. I wish you could have seen it but some one recorded it on my camera. It was this sweet Fijian war dance. We did a Hawaiian dance too. So I did TWO dances in front of everyone. They were all laughing and having a good time. Well afterward Elder Fanguna Fire Danced!! Man it was so awesome. coolest thing ever. He is as good as the pros at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii. Then guess what!!! Everyone was calling my name to go up and a member pushed me up SO I FIRE DANCED!!! I just spinned it, and acted like I was about to eat it. I dropped it accidentally too. MAN you should have seen it everyone was laughing their heads off. I wish I could type forever about these experiences. That day was incredible. I wrote so much in my journal, took so many pictures, videos, and will always remember it. I have experienced so much culture here its unreal.
I love you all so much. You mean everything to me. Happy Easter, have a great week in St George, be safe. I love you so much and miss you. Until next week. Love your son and brother Elder Kitchen