Elder Kala Ellis

Iaorana Palalas, It's only right to start of this email by saying bulking season has begun. We have eaten so much this past week, it was crazy. We had some days where we had teaching appointments and they fed us breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food has been amazing and we even got to eat more ninja. Ninja for dinner, then breakfast and lunch the next day. People here really love their turtle. It was funny because one time this other Elder told a member that he should obey the law here that says not to eat turtle. The member proceeds to say that God put turtle on the earth for him to eat and the rules and laws that are here are below us. But forreal I have been eating like crazy and have gained a belt loop back in this past week. I can't go too crazy though because I only have two more belt loops left before I gotta start poking more. From the poisson cru, sashimi, turtle, poisson fromage, cake, Mahi Mahi, Pork, Chicken, Fafaru, fermented coconut, Ulu, and choke steak frites. ...

Mele Kalikimaka...  ...Is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day. That's the island greeting that I share with you from the land were palm trees sway! Merry Early Christmas everyone! Christmas came early here in Bora Bora. I got some packages from family and we got news from the mission president that we can now listen to music that invites the spirit. You already know that right after that zone call Kolohe Kai, Hapa, Maoli, Fiji, and other Hawaiian and Reggae songs are now playing in the house.  But f'real life's been good on the southern half of the equator. The winds have been blowing extra strong lately and it feels like a crazy amount of resistance when you are trying to bike. It's also pretty fun because you'll come out from a wind block like a house to an open spot and get hit by the wind and it just pushes you horizontally and you kind of need to bike at an angle cutting into the wind. Eating: Happy to say that after waiting a whole week and str...

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas... Not so much in the music. But I did hear someone blowing some fireworks last night and it reminded me of all the illegal aerials that ring in the New Year in Hawaii.  This past week has had it's ups and downs. Started of the week learning how to fire knife dance by Sister Tippets who just arrived in Bora this transfer. Taught some more kids, a couple new faces and some more familiar ones. Now that I brought out the GoPro they never let us leave without a picture. There was this big Bora Bora craft fair with some vendors that even flew in from other islands to participate. A lot of good food, nice crafts and good music too. We had a few of our lessons at the craft fair because the main person running it was a member and our friends wanted to check it out. I scored a sick Christmas ornament and even got a hat for free from someone who saw me checking it out. Now I can hang out with all the Papi's and fit right in. Wednesday was ...

Transfers!!! Well transfers happened and I'm still on Bora Bora. There's no complaining here though because I absolutely love it and love the people. It even allows me to get to know the members in the ward a little bit better.  Hiking: We started off the week going hiking with our district one last time before one of the Sisters headed to Moorea and another one of the sisters off to her home since she finished her mission. The journey didn't start at the bottom of the trail but rather at the house as we had to bike 7 miles just to get there. The hike was super cool but also super hot. It felt like I was hiking kokohead midday because of the heat but the trail itself was more of a crouching lion type of hike. Super steap at parts with lots of loose rocks which made going up and going down really "fun". Transfers/Splits: Transfers happened, everyone in the house stayed and the other companionship even got an additional person. Having five people in the house is rea...