Monday 3rd February 2014 - Farewells and Greetings

Lemalu Family

Yes even though there were smiles this past week is was saddening to leave such an amazing area again, as a missionary in each area you are sent to by your Heavenly Father you build life-long friends and families as you serve them. It has been a very memorable 3 transfers in the area of Hallam Ward, Narre Warren Stake. The Lemalu family has always given everything to the missionaries I will miss them.

Elder Hartley, Elder Apulu, Elder Morgan and Elder Lammi (Hallam Flat Spartans) haha

Yes I will also miss these muppets haha, was awesome to have spent a transfer with these boys, so much fun, so much laughs, so much wrestling and so much moments where none of us really cared haha. Good times with the Narre Warren Elders, a transfer that will be hard to forget, I know that they will do well. Till next time brothers.

The boys

Bring it! haha, so good to see Vagia (2nd from the left) prepare to go and serve in the Australia Brisbane Mission! One of the many perpspective missionaries in the Hallam Ward. Suma (2nd from the right) the RM from the New Zealand Auckland Mission, will miss him and his wise words of council. 

One Last Time

From the left: Elder Lubrido and Elder Mcmurray. Our fellow Hallam Ward Elders, was awesome to spend one last Sunday with Elder Lubrido before he departed back to the Phillipines, his laugh is infectious as much as his personality, sad to see him leave but happy to know that his family will embrace him as a honourable, full-time returned missionary. One Elder that will be missed.

Last Goodbye

So grateful for the chance that I have had to meet with this guy named Patai. Teaching him about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a lesson that I will never ever forget! Tears were shed as this Spirit was felt so strongly as he offered the closing prayer to our lesson. I know I will I meet him again someday, maybe next time as a member of the Hallam Ward :)

Back to Brisbane

A big farewell to our Assistant Elder Faavae, he has been an awesome example to all of us here in the Australia Melbourne Mission, many of us have learnt a couple of lessons here and there about missionary from him, I know that he is going to do well when he returns! RWH Elder.

New Zone!

And so another new start in the beloved area of Wyndham! As you can see we have a pretty gangster zone here, was good to catch up with familiar faces at very 1st zone meeting for the transfer, we have amazing zone leaders Elder Afele and Elder Fale with district leaders that are doing very well. I am proud to be a new member of the Wyndham Zone! Churr

New Companion

Just the norms to start off a transfer in a hummer-limo, loving the Point Cook area already haha, me and my new companion Elder Pipers were priviled to have witnessed the marriage of the Ta'ala family, they looked stunning together as couple with their 3 boys. Congratulations to them.

The wedding cake

What a touching moment it was to have seen brother and sister Ta'ala tie the knot. To know of all the struggles and hardships that they experienced to get to where they are today it was a special experience for all that were there, so good to see them all at church as well. Such a wonderful family!

The Langham

To finish off their special day me and my fellow Point Cook missionaries were shouted to a buffet lunch at the Langham Hotel, I felt like I wasn't in Melbourne anymore haha, so much blessings already here on my 1st week here in Point Cook, so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to meet such loving families and individuals here in the Australia Melbourne Mission. So many experiences, I love being a missionary!

Monday 6th January 2014 - Service, Christmas Conference, New Years Resolutions and Happy Birthdays

Elder Morgan and I (Service at the O'Keiths)

Started off this transfer with a bang! 1st up, as you can see I have acquired a new companion.....Elder Morgan! and he is a ratbag! hahahaha jokes, have learnt prime attributes off this fulla already, an awesome district leader! Always willing to help out the boys whenever we need it. Hopefully we both get to stay another transfer in the amazing Hallam area of the Narre Warren Zone!

After a hard days work hehe

For our 1st week of the transfer, kicked things off with a Zone Service at the O'Keiths farm. Drove around the whole farm picking up loose sticks and branches and piling them up to prep a massive bonfire which unfortunately we didn't get to see but alas was awesome to have finished the job.

Learning how to fire a rifle with the boys

Straight after the service Brother O'Keith couldn't help but show us his toys, it was pretty mean to actually hold one of those bad boys, don't worry none of them were loaded so we just scoped out some nearby houses aha.

Scoping out some wild cows haha

Just like to good old days playing Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare and Black Ops. Probably the closest I will ever get to handling a real gun haha. Trying to look like a professional dude.

A.M.M Christmas Conference 2013 (1)

Some of our Maori missionaries starting from the back: Elder Petersen from Whakatane, Elder Stone from Whangaruru and Elder Munroe from Brisbane.

A.M.M Christmas Conference 2013 (2)

Our Samoan and Tongan Elders from the left going around: Elder Matu'u-Samoa, Elder Vakalahi-Tonga, Elder Li'o-Samoa, Elder Ashley-???, Elder Fale-Sydney, Elder Ataata-Tonga, Elder Nuku-Tonga, Elder Huakau-Tonga and Elder Faletoese-Samoa.

A.M.M Christmas Conference 2013 (3)

From the left going around: Elder Maifala-American Samoa, Elder Agavale-Samoa, Elder Siaosi-Samoa, Elder Tauti-Samoa, Elder Talaipa-Samoa, Elder Su'a-Samoa and Elder Seve-Samoa.

A.M.M Christmas Conference 2013 (4)

From the left going around: Elder Lambe-England, Elder Asher-Sydney, Sister Lisati-New Zealand, Sister Komiti-Samoa, Elder Howard-Brisbane, Elder Anitema-Brisbane, Elder Faatau-Brisbane and Elder Faavae-Brisbane.

A.M.M Christmas Conference 2013 (5)

From the left going around: Elder Nonu-Sydney, Elder Morgan-Perth, Elder Napa-Cook Islnads, Elder Ah-kuoi-Wellington, Elder Manu-Tonga, Sister Tauti-Otara, Sister Kaufusi-Sydney, Sister Hausia-Tonga and Elder Miller from New Zealand.

A.M.M Christmas Conference 2013 (6)

From the left going around: Elder Ngakuru-Hamilton, Elder Clark-Brisbane, Elder Malifa-Mt Roskill, Elder Sheward-North Harbour, Elder Pipers-Sunshine Coast, Elder Smith-Mt Roskill and Elder Day from Hamilton.

A.M.M Christmas Conference 2013 (7)

From the left to the right: Sister Leota from Mt Roskill, Elder Sasulu from Sydney, Me, Elder Falesi'i from Otara and Sister Salanoa from Sydney.

Last Mission Christmas with Elder Taufa

It was good to catch up with one of the boys from Sydney, Elder Taufa, he is one of the departing missionaries this transfer, time literally flys by as you see many of your fellow brothers finish their 2 years of service, it has been an honor my friend, I will definitely see you in Sydney mate!

The Hallam Elders!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Elder Lubrido, Elder Mcmurray, Elder Morgan and Elder Apulu! What a transfer it has been to end this year with a bang and to start off this year with these boys, every day we have different stories to tell whether it ones of rejection or ones of just straight laughter it has been a very very fun transfer. Will miss these boys when I leave.

A Thousand Steps

So to start off this new year with our 1st p'day we decided as a district to tackle The Thousand Steps in the Ferntree Gully area. What a walk it was! Already puffed out after like 200 haha. It was awesome to have walked it with our district, as you can see my 2 trainers Elder Waapu-George and Elder Morgan were there to push me to my limits. Was a good experience. I look forward to doing it again someday.

The Birthday Boy

Last week my companion Elder Morgan celebrated his 23rd birthday here on the mission field. He wanted to keep it on the down low but that would be impossible if you were my companion haha. So I endeavoured to organise a suprise birthday wish and cake for him with a very huge thanks to the Talataina family who set it up perfectly. It was a funny night, he had no idea what was going on until he walked into their home and they presented him with his cake. The reaction was priceless. A birthday to remember.

NZ Package!

Biggest love to my sister in New Zealand for sending me a package last week! Everything in it was what I have been waiting for ever since I started my mission haha, we have a bottle of the best tomato sauce in the world "Watties" brand, we have some Cookie Time and 3 blocks of the original Whittakers brand chocolate "Hokey Pokey", "Macadamia", and the new "L&P" Block. Sadly what you see here has already been demolished by my fellow companions and I haha. Thanks heaps sis! Appreciate it.

Monday 9th December 2013 - Zone Conference and Sad News

Me and Elder Anitema

This week has been an awesome week! Caught up with one of the brothers back home, Elder Anitema! Was good to see how much he has grown out here in the mission field. He is now a Zone Leader for the Gippsland Zone with Elder Urry. They both gave a great training on how to be a full-purpose missionary. It was a great day on Thursday.

Our beloved APs Elder Lambe (left) and Elder Faavae (right)

We also received prime trainings from our APs. They taught us how to work with the members more effectively as missionaries and help them invite others into the Gospel, Elder Faavae will be missed as this will be his last transfer before he leaves to go back home to Brisneyland. I learn so much from these great missionaries!

Me, Suma Ah Fua and Elder Mitchell

It is sad to see my companion Elder Mitchell leave this beloved area of Hallam! I only spent 6 weeks with him and already our Heavenly Father has another plan for him. They say that when you get a good companion time flys by very quickly, I think that is true! haha I have learnt many things from this Elder and look forward to catching up with him in the near future, wish all the best mate! Take care.

Beast Feed!

Once again the Lemalu family has treated us with an awesome feed to finish this week! We have some Oka, some Kalo, some Chicken, some Povi Masima and some Pork! Yes all of us were smashed after haha. Welcome to Hallam Ward mate!

Monday 2nd December 2013 - Study, Narre Warren, Brothers and Sunday Feeds

Study Time

Kicked off this past week with a couple of study sessions from the Book of Mormon, always love reading of the many stories contained within this book especially about the 2000 stripling warriors! and also of the many missionaries who preached the gospel during that time. As a missionary I am always grateful for the time that we have to study each day about The Book of Mormon to learn more about the gospel but more so to help our friends and our investigators gain a testimony of its divinity.

Narre Warren Zone!

We also had our zone meeting on Wednesday! It was good to catch up with the fellow missionaries within our zone and receive some spiritual nourishment from our beloved Zone Leaders Elder Asher and Elder Evans, we are sad to be seeing Elder Evans leave as it is his last transfer here in the Australia Melbourne Mission, it has been awesome to have known him, we wish him all the best in his future endeavours! 

Elder Apulu and Elder Mitchell (Kings of Hallam)

Well you know it! haha. The Kings of Hallam are here, this transfer has been awesome with my fellow companion Elder Mitchell! He reigns from the same land from which we sailed from.....Auckland New Zealand but is from the North Shore. We worked it out and yes we basically live 20 minutes away from each other! Going to be good to catch up when we finish our missions. Hopefully we get to stay another transfer together in the amazing Hallam Ward. So much memories I will never forget.

Another Lemalu Sunday Feed

Yesterday once again, Elder Lubrido, Elder Mcmurray, Elder Mitchell and I were smashed with the feast of death at the Lemalu family home. As you can see we had 2 trays of taro for the Poly missionaries and some cabonara pasta for the Palagi missionaries haha, then we some delicious fried chicken thighs and chicken wings! I have to say every time Sister Lemalu cooks, you cannot stop at 1 plate of food, well I guess that's just me! haha. Sundays are total bliss here in the Hallam Ward!

Monday 25th of November 2013 - Quick Update

Sons of Helaman Coin (Front)

So I thought I might give a quick update on what has been transpiring these past couple of weeks here in the beloved area of Hallam. I received in a package 2 coins, 1 gold and 1 silver that I ordered online from Point Emblems. They look meeeeaaaaan! I thought I might grab them just to keep as memorials and reminders of where I come from and what I am doing here out in the mission field.

Sons of Helaman Coin (Back)

Armor of God Coin (Front)

Armor of God Coin (Back)

Sunday feed at the Lemalus

On our missionary meal roster, every Sunday is crossed out by the Lemalu family so every single Sunday without fail my companion Elder Mitchell and I are very blessed to have the Lemalu family provide us with a huge feast.....literally haha. They cook the best Polynesian food that I have ever tasted! Besides my mothers hehe. 

Yet another Sunday feed at the Lemalus

As you can see we are well taken care of here in the Hallam Ward within regards to food haha. 

Sioli Family

It was awesome to catch up with the Sioli family! Mos, Mata and their 3 beautiful girls. Family friends that moved to Melbourne from Sydney not long ago. They provided us with a wonderful dinner and desert. Such a small world we have here!

Elder Mitchell getting lined up at the Phresh Barbershop

Last Monday we went down the Phresh. The best barbers in the world! haha. It is run by the Fifita family who are members from the Melton Ward. Us missionaries are lucky because they all line us up for free! So much blessings. Grateful for everyone's service to us boys.

Reyes Family Dinner

Every Sunday night as well we are invited to attend a family home evening at one of our Phillipino families in the ward, there are 4 families, so every Sunday night we have a Phillipino feast! So yeah basically they destroy your stomachs in this area haha.

Monday 21st October 2013 - New Area, New Brothers and New Friends

Me and Elder Talaipa

It has been ages since I have created a blog entry! My apologies, to cut a long story short I left my camera charger in my previous area and I still haven't received it so I have been taking heaps of photos until it ran out and now the battery is dead so all of these pictures are what have transpired since last transfer.

Me and Elder Vao

I was very blessed to have been apart of a baptism on my 1st week in the new area of Hallam in the Narre Warren Zone. It is a heavily populated polynesian area. Kind of reminds me of back home. Feels like I'm back in New Zealand haha.

Elder Alaalatoa, Me, Elder Mitchell and Elder Vao

At the baptism Elder Alaalatoa, Elder Vao, my companion Elder Faletoese and I were priviliged to have provided the prelude musical item. The spirit was felt strongly as we sang My Real Hero, a song about the Savior and his Atonement.

Farewelling Elder Zinck

At the previous transfer meeting it was very sad to farewell one of the brothers from back home in Campbelltown Sydney, Elder Zinck!. He is at home now probably catching up with all the fams and kicking back. Time has gone by too fast. Missionaries just seem to be coming and going really quick out here on the field. They will all be missed.

Sister Epa, Me and Sister Trego 

Was also sad to have farewelled Sister Trego! She has departed back home to Perth after her 18 months as a superb sister missionary here in Melbourne, she is missed by many. Sister Epa accompanied her to her last baptism and also participated in the interlude musical item with Sister Trego. They have amazing voices! Lucky for us Sister Epa still has a while to go so we will still hear some of her musical talents in the near future.

Olivia, Me and Nofo

Now I definitely know that the world is a small place because who would of thought that the Tuilagi twins who were in my ward back in Auckland, New Zealand had just moved into the ward that I got transferred to here down in Melbourne Australia! Haha. Was so good to catch up with them and talk about the Hendo YSA back home. Miss my YSA! This transfer has been so full already of life, faith building and spiritually refreshing experiences. I love my new area, my new companion and my new Hallam Ward family. Life is good!

Monday 16th September 2013 - Mission Conference

This past week was awesome! The whole Australia Melbourne Mission (except those serving in Tasmania) gathered together to receive wise words of council and love from one of our beloved general authorities Elder Pearson, he was accompanied by his wife and President and Sister Maxwell. When they entered the Heidelberg Stake Centre in Fairfield, Elder Pearson requested that all missionaries present shake his and his wife's hand, just so they could get the chance to greet everyone personally, what an experience that was! As I shook Elder Pearson's hand he looked straight into my eyes and said "Elder Apulu, How are you?"  I just smiled and told him that I am well and loving this work! so spiritually uplifting as a missionary to speak to a general authority face to face. Another exiting thing about mission conferences is that you get to meet up with all your fellow missionaries that you have served around. I was privileged to walk out of the stake centre and grab a picture with my trainer Elder Mcphee, his 1st son Elder Miller and his 3rd son Elder Haenga, yes I am the 2nd son haha mean heritage photo.

My companion and I were blessed again to have been given a lift by our fellow Fairfield missionaries Elder Napa and Elder Wilson, after the conference we headed back to their flat with our fellow Elders in the Caulfield Area Elder Solomon and Elder Pipers. Then after receiving so much spiritual food for the day we proceeded to grab some physical food at the local KFC. A day to remember!