WEEK 38-Many Miracles and Funny Moments

This past week had been probably one of the best weeks of my mission. We were busy and working hard all day everyday. Like to the point where I was dozing off in lessons from running around so much. But, the Lord sure did bless us with some miracles for the obedience, and funny moments just cause we all know Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. 1. Rika, and her kids. 2. Street contacting is not as easy as it looks. 3. The people of Wal-Mart. 4. Got a referral.... for the Spanish Sisters... 5. I messed of my Father's Day/ belated Mother's Day Gifts..

1.) Rika (Reekuh) is a golden investigator that just moved into our area. She is amazing. We have been teaching her and trying to get her in contact with our Ward Employmen Specialist. Well we set multiple appointments to have our W.E.S. come and meet with her and get her set up with some work. Well of those appoinments were dropped, and forgotten about by our W.E.S.
Well at Ward Correlation we have been talking about Rika, and finally our Senior Couple said will take her! And they said let's stop by tonight and we will get an appointment with her. My comp was about to say no, but something told me to say yes, and so I did. Even though we haven't been in contact with her for a couple days cause she got a temporary job for a few days. Well MIRACLE. Right as we pulled up to her house her garage door opened up and there she was. Long story short. She got set up with the Churches Employment Facilities.

2.) We have so many weirdos in our area. In one of our wards the average amount of teeth in someone's mouth is about 10. Hahaha. And it makes Street contacting hard. I try not to laugh at the people we talk to. I know I'mm horrible. We were talking to a guy just yesterday, that was just super weird, but he listened to us so we just talked with him. By the end of it we asked if we could come back, and he didn't give us a response, so we asked again and he tapped his ears, and started doing some gestures with his hands. Yeah my man was def... We didn't know how to deal with just saying bye, so we just waved and got on our bikes and rode of so embarrassed. The other funny thing was a member drove by us, and he knew the guys was def, and when we stopped at his house he said, "Yeah I was going to stop to tell you guys, but I thought it would be a funny letter home." Well he wasn't wrong....

3.) This funny moment happened just today. So while we were at Wal-Mart we were walking back to print some pictures off, and of course all the kiosks were taken up. And they were these black ladies yelling at eachother. Hahaha one of them was saying I ain't paying for your pictures!? You broke? That's yo fault.! Another one was yelling "how in the hell do I do this crap!? I was born into slavery. we didn't have this stuff back then!?" Then there was this little old lady. saying, "I hate black women. Too loud." Well seeing as she was black I wanted to tell her ma'am so you are saying you hate yourself? Hahaha. Well it wasn't even 2 minutes later that we turned the corner to had towards the bike section and 2 Wal-Mart workers a male and female came crawling out behind a part of the isle that was built up into a fort looking thing, with vests messed up and hair everywhere. They saw that we saw them, and they like darted to the next isle. I tried to not think about what might have happened back there, but I couldn't help it. I went up next to the girl while pretending I was looking for something and said," Sooooo. Lunch break was pretty crazy huh?" I walked away and I turned the corner and got a glimpse of a tomato red faced Wal-Mart employee. Hahaha Oh so good. I love Wal-Mart!!

4.) Yeah real short. We went to a former investigators house, and we got in contact with them the first time. Unheard of by the way. And we got to talking with them. They were so close to being baptize, but they just weren't ready, so we asked if we could come back, and they said," No it's okay. We aren't interested, but if you send the Spanish Sisters that would be great!" Yeah that was very awesome  hear....

5.) Well I order my dad a new watch, and got my mom a belated Mother's Day present. I meant to send it to myself so I could send a letter with it, but that was a bust. I sent it straight to my home. So I muffed up the plan. That's okay. They still loved it!

 Well I love you guys! I miss you all. God bless! And I will talk to you Next week!

Love,
Elder Matua

WEEK 37--The South is Growing on Me

This week has been CRAZY busy! It's been hard to keep the days all in order and remember what we have one what day. Which is good yet it's also really bad. Don't want any leaders getting mad. Oops. So this week has been filled with some weird, funny, crazy, inspired, etc moments. 1. David Rowden/Chicken feet 2. Early morning soccer. 3. Samoan Sniper hahaha(; 4. I am not a fan of little kids in testimony meetings (sorry to those with little kids) 5. Elder Pearson and Zone Conference. 6. Goodnight Elder.

1.) My comp says this was inspired. I say it was God punishing me for being mad at my companion. We were about to head home for the night at 8:00 to start some paper work. And my comp and I had a last minute thought to stop by a part member family, the Rowdens, and so we did. For the first time, we met our investigator May. We haven't met her, but she's been being taught in Chandler. But that's another story for another time. Well we finally got to meet her and they had just gotten dinner, but they let us in anyway. We got to talking, getting to know May and what not when she asks if we want some Thai food. (she's Thai) So she brings us some bombin' pork dumplings then asks if we want more. Of course being nice we say sure even though we ate only a couple hours ago. Well she plops something on my plate, and my eyes almost popped out of my head. Yeah it was a chicken foot. I was like uhhh I think KFC messed up?? Hahaha She was like just eat a toe and spit out the bones as you eat the meat. I was like oh heck no. But I had to be a man, so I took a bite of the middle toe, it tasted really good. I just couldn't get past that it was a chicken foot. I choked it down and quickly took a chug of water and threw a couple of tootsie rolls in my mouth. Oh gosh. That was the first and last time I eat a chicken foot.

2.) This ones short. We play zone sports every Tuesday and Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. I was not trying to play. But my ZL came over and got me to play. Well 3 minutes in I was so close to the goal. My teammate crossed the ball to me and I kicked that ball like it was Garrett's butt. And low and behold a sister jumped in the way right as my foot touched the ball and WHAM straight to the forehead hahaha. Now I laugh cause not even a minute ago she yelled to everyone, " I BETTER NOT GRT HIT IN THE HEAD THIS TIME!!" Yeah you spoke too soon. I felt bad until she spit attitude at me for an accident she threw herself into. So I brushed it off and the rest of the game, when I got the ball she stayed away from us. I scored 4 times cause of her fear of getting another pentagon imprinted on her forehead.  Hahaha

3.) Have you seen American Sniper? Haha trick question it's rated R. If you have repent cause I had to. Oops sorry mom and dad(; Anyways we were doing a service at a part members family and as we were wrapping up she said, "you could do me a huge favor?" Then proceeded to hand us pellet guns and said," Have fun!" I thought my comp was going to say not but he said, "Well they aren't FIREarms?" My comp is EXACTLY obedient. So him saying that opened up an hour of popping birds off. I got 6, Elder T got 2, Elder Barney got 6, and Elder Romero got 15... cactus' hahaha he sucks at shooting. And yes we counted the cactus he hit. It was a blast and we got cookies for doing the service so that made it that much better. If you need me for any extermination jobs call me in 15 months.

4.) Short and simple. IF YOU KID IS UNDER 8 DONT LET THEM BEAR THEIR TESTIMONY. It's awesome they want to share what they know, but there seems to be a pattern in kids sharing. They say the same thing as the kid before them or they freeze up and stand their for 5 minutes and run off the stand and crying hysterically. Again sorry to those with little kids.

5.) Such a beautiful experience to have a General Authority come and talk to your mission. I got so much out of this. Go and read "Converted Unto the Lord" by Elder Bednar. Amazing. My testimony was built and strengthened with every word that came out of Elder and Sister Pearson mouths. Know that we are not the light but we are the carriers, conduits, and messengers of the light. The Gospel, Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father are the light. We should walk Circumsoectly before god or in other words walk aware and heeding the consequences that follow the choices we make, and teach/ preach with unwearied diligence. We should be one with the Savior in doing the will of the Father. I am so grateful for the words spoken to me yesterday from my peers and leaders. So amazing. I will never forget the way I felt in that meeting. Also remember that we don't have to travel for to find those who are ready and willing to receive the message of the Restoration of the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. Nothing compares to the blessings given to use members of Christ's church especially when we are living the Doctrine of Christ.

6.) Here's another short one. So 10:30 hits and my comp and I say out nightly companion prayer. Keep in mind Monday was a busy day of being out in the sun doing service around a farm. Well we finished the prayer and I holed up and brushed my teeth as my comp knelt down to say his individual prayer. I lied down and quickly past out. Well what do you know I wake up to my comp in the same position as he was when he was saying his prayer the night before. I was laughing so hard and called the other Elders in and we just died laughing and that woke him up. Oh man that was priceless. But sadly he woke up before anyone could get a camera to snap a pic.

Man this week was insanely busy. I wish I had time to tell you all everything that happened. I hope next week is filled with the same exact stuff. It made the week fly by being busy and working hard. I hope all is well at home. I miss you guys. You are in my prayers. God bless. I love you guys! I'll talk to you next week!!!!

P.s. It has already hit 113.

Look who found the Elders? Sis Mullenaeaux, Elder Mulleneaux' Mom. He's serving in our Stake

Hoopes family

Going home with a rack of ribs...Thanks Hoopes Family

Drone pic

WEEK 35

Okay, I don't absolutely dislike my new area, it's just that... It's in the middle of NOWHERE! I'm literally in the Desert.. But it's all good we are on week 3 of 6 so we are almost there right? Okay so this week has had a lot more ups than downs until Saturday night. that TRUMPed it all. So, 1.) We have had a couple of miracles with our investigator Rika. She's awesome. 2.) I have been sick twice this week with something different each time. Yep that's about it. Hahaha
1.) Rika is an African American that is amazing. She just has one hold up. "Why couldn't African American males have the priesthood?" Yeah I just wanted her to stop living in the past, but in a loving manner I told her to Stop living in the past. She kind of stepped back and thought real hard, and she came to a conclusion that it wasn't worth it, so we gave her some material to read that would hopefully solve some concerns. We left her to read an article, and the title page and introduction of the Book of Mormon. She is going to read, and we are meeting with her on Wednesday to go over what she thought. I will let you know how that went next week.
2.) So from last Sunday-Thursday I have been sick with something nasty. Don't know what it was, but it wasn't fun. Then Saturday night I came down with the 24 hour flu. Throwing up all night.. Nasty. I haven't thrown up since 6th grade.. But I a getting better. Hahaha I think I might have passed it on to the other Elder's in the house.. Ooops.

Well I hope I have more for you next week. Beside being sick, falling asleep on the toilet, and having miracles here and there That's all folks! Love ya! Sorry I don't have any pictures. Ever since I took a selfie it my camera hasn't been working too well. But I will try to get you some next week!

WEEK 33

OKAY!!!!! I am back at it people! This week has been a loooooooooooong week. A lot of meetings, visits, planning, etc.. But all in all it has been a good week! This week has been full of frustration, miracles, ups and downs. To start off Elder Kinman and I are being transferred. Oh well. Anyways, my prayers were answered. I got to stay in the area to see something huge happen. We had 3 baptisms this week end for a part member family we have been working with for 3 months. It was such a spiritual experience for not just me but the entire Mendez family. Alina who is 8, Destiny, 9, and Jr. is 11. No they don't like water too much so it was a struggle trying to get them into the font. Haha we had to get them to freaking play rock, paper, scissors to see who would go 1st, 2nd, and 3rd..
It was nice, my old comp got to come back and baptize these little rascals. And was is even cooler is we had 5!!!!! baptisms in the stake this weekend!

We had some pretty funny moments this week as lwel. Here are a couple examples. We almost died getting a ride from one of my most FAVORITE PEOPLE in the world. His name is Steve Tenney. He had taken some meds and we didn't think to ask if he had taken any before we
called for a ride. Yep total mistake. Well 3 times coming to a red light I had to physically grab his thigh and shove it towards the brake because he was not coherent enough to have the depth perception to see there was cars flying through the intersection at speeds up to 50 mph that could very easily turn his little blue berry of a car into dust. So yeah miracles! Woooooo!  Love this Guy!!

So things here are going good. I am just going with the flow and praying my next comp isn't a nerd. hahaha I am loving the heat so much I hate it. I am going to miss this area I am in. There is a lot of amazing members and so much work to do. Elder Kinman and I have had a lot of fun together, maybe a little too much fun. I am I am grateful for this area and the lessons I have learned hear. Like don't chase coyotes down the road because there might be an animal lover down the street to
yell at you for harassing one of natures creatures. Or don't try to cross a busy street with a Companion that hardly knows how to ride a bike. Just some simple things. Haha. On a more serious not. I have had my testimony strengthened in this area. I have made life long friends with members and those who we have taught. I have seen miracles upon miracles in the stake. I am grateful for this Gospel and the love joy and happiness it brings to anybody that accepts it into their lives.

I love you all! I will talk to you next week! Mwah! Have and amazing week!

WEEK 31- 7/12 MONTHS???

Sorry everyone we haven't had a blog post for several weeks now due to Elder Matua's ongoing issues with his ankle but when we received his email this week he was in much better spirits and he has been able to get out and work. He did see an orthopedic specialist and is now doing physical therapy and says that his ankle is healing and getting back to normal. So here is his latest email.

Well things have been just amazing down here in AZ!! I have been loving it. Every second! This last week has made my life, and not out here in the field but because of the people back there in WJ. 1. My Aunty was sealed to her Stud of a Husband and chunk of a son. 2. My Best Friend was baptized and is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 3. I got to see my family, and friends. 4. As for me I learned don't piss your Ward Mission Leader(WML) off...

1.) I got word that my Aunty Theresa was sealed in the Temple to her Husband, and son for time and all Eternity. I have such a strong testimony of Eternal Families. I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend eternity with the ones I love the most. Families are forever. Aunty I am so proud of you I love you and Jun, and I guess the kids. Thank you for strengthening my testimony of the Atonement. Keep the work up the work Oomp Loompa! Hahaha

2.) Friday was and will be the best day of my mission. Dalton, who has been one of my closest friends, was baptized. Even though I wasn't there in person I could feel the spirit that was there. My heart was filled with complete joy for the brother I have who just entered into the fold of God. I am so proud of him and the decision he made to be baptized. In following the Saviors example. He is that much closer to having eternal happiness. This Gospel has brought me more joy than I could ever ask for. And now my best friend gets to partake in that joy.

3.)This will be a short one, but I got to see my family and that made me so happy I love you all I will talk to you in 3 weeks or so.

4.)Yeah my WML was mad that we didn't make it to the Non-Member movie night.. Haha so he wrote to our Stake Mission Leader (SML) That we haven't done any work in 2 weeks. Hahaha oh well our SML knows that's not like us, so he wrote him back and said I don't believe  it. HA!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!. This week has been rough just because of some sickness, but we still get work done even if we spread walking pneumonia. Oopa!?

I love you all! I keep in my prayers everynight! I am grateful for all of you in my life! God bless.

At the temple with Junior and Theresa

Dalt, Sister Shepard and Elder Matua on baptism day

Dalton and his crew on confirmation day

Missing Elder Matua at the Temple

What an amazing day!!!

WEEK 27 NO CHANGE😩

UPDATE: It's been a rough week for Elder Matua. He is still dealing with issues concerning his ankle. He did meet with Pres. Wheeler and isn't going to come home but he is going in to see an orthopaedic specialist and get another x-ray to rule out a fracture/break. When he had the first x-ray done his ankle was so swollen they couldn't read it but they had initially ruled out a break. But over the past week or so he has done everything he's been asked to do (elevate, ice, rest and so forth) but it didn't seem to get any better. In fact, he said his toes were getting numb. He and his companion were given a car but with limited miles they can't do much work and he's been really frustrated and bored out of his mind...ya'll know Tai....too active and can't sit still for long. Anyways, keep him in your prayers and hope that he can heal quickly and get back to work. Meanwhile, he sent some pics home. He sends his love to you all!!!

WEEK 26

This week hasn't been the best week. So as you know I muffed up my ankle last week playing ball, so not a whole lit has been done this week. But we did do a couple of things to keep from going insane. 1. I got a new Comp! 2. We got a car!!! 3. We had a service. Yeah ahaha that's about it. Unless you want me to tell you about the book I'm reading hahaha.

1.) My new companion in Elder Kinman. He is a stud. He may look nerdy, but don't you jusge a book by it's cover! He is from Madison, Indiana. He's been out for 15 months, and is 20! We get along really well. He's quiet , but when he talks you can't help but laugh.

2.) Yeah this was exciting for about 4 hours, then our AP's told us how many miles we had for the last 2 weeks of the month. Hahaha so because my foot is in shambles we got a car. When the AP's dropped it off they said they would tell us later how many miles we would have. Being so stoked we got a call from them, and this is how the conversation went.
Me: Hey, so what's up how many miles will we have?
E. Broulim: 50
Me:Hey sorry my phone glitched out it sounded like you said 50.
E. Broulim: Yeah that's what I said 50 as in 5. 0.
Me: You're kidding me right?
E. Broulim; No I'm not kidding.
Me: What do you want me to do fif......
*Call ends*
I was so frustrated. Hahah so the excitement was short lived....

3.) I will be short with this one. We had a service for a fun run! A superhero themed fun run. Everyone was dressed up as superheroes, and having fun. It was a 5K with bounce houses incorporated into it! It was a blast!!!

WEEK 24---Alright This Week Was Pretty Hectic

Okay this week has picked up a little. A lot more has been happening! So.. 1. We picked up another investigator. 2. We had kittens!!! 3. I got a busted lip... And that is about it for the week. A lot more happened I just don't have time to type it up. Just know it was a really good week!!!!!!

1.) Man we were shocked by this one. We got a random text from one of the YW in our wards. She had a friend with here at church the other week and we didn't think anything of it. But, she then texted us and said that her friend had questions, and that he would like for us to meet with him. His name is Wyatt, and he is amazing!!!!!! Absolutely GOLDEN. We gave him the 1st discussion, and he just soaked it all up! By the end of it he was so excited to dive right into the Book of Mormon. It was a win win situation, because the YW, Jadyn, has been struggling with gospel, and out of this referral we have gotten her to start reading as well, and praying daily along with Wyatt. It was so powerful to have her invite Wyatt to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. After we finished the lesson. They went straight to the Mesa Temple Visitor Center, and the Sister Missionaries were there to talk to him. That was this last Saturday, and we saw him yesterday on Sunday, and he was just beaming. I think he will go far with the Gospel. You can see the desire that he has to grow closer to his Savior, and strive to make back to our Heavenly Father.

2.) Long story short. Missionaries are not to have any pets, but this was a special circumstance.
Some dang Gato freak plopped her litter out on our back porch!!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha here are the pictures. Bottom left is Negro he's all balck, on the top is Clumsy cause he can't walk in a straight line even to get out of a DUI. and the Right is See-Aye-Tea hahahaha (Say it out loud). All were girls. We put them in a box, and the mom came back for only See-Aye-Tea, and Negro, but not for Clumsy, so I being the horrible missionary I am brought her inside the apartment at 3:00 a.m. I fed her some warm milk every hour and then we left for church. Well again long story short Elder Tolman and I found her a home. The Young family took her in cause they are all about cats and they had everything to keep Clumsy healthy and strong. 

3.) Not much to this story beside I looked like a Bad A with my busted lip. I got head butted in basketball last Monday, and it bout' knocked out my 2 front teeth. Boy did it hurt! I was scared to take my retainer out. I thought my teeth would still be in it if I pulled it out......... Here are some pics!

Oh and don't wrestle when you are near someone sewing.. Good thing I only got impaled!😉
OH and the fire pics are what we do when us Elders get bored!
Love you all! Talk to you next week!!!!!!❤

Basketball injury

Wrestling? 

The kittens....

Fire trick #1

Fire trick #2

WEEKLY #......Okay I don't care what one it is. I'm tired of counting... (23)

This week has been same ol' same ol'. Not a whole lot has happened this past week. BUT. Here's is what has happened. 1. We picked up 2 new investigators. 2. AP exchanges.... 3. Yep that's about it.....

1.) There is a family in our area that has been hard to get in with. But, just for the members. They love us missionaries. haha. Well it is a part member family. The mom is a member, but the dad and the daughter are not. But, because the love us they invited us over for dinner and the mom said that we could start teaching the daughter. Well we met with them and both the mom and the dad sat in with Gia (the daughter). MIRACLE! We had an amazing lesson! By the end of the meeting we committed both Gia and her father to baptism, and to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. The funny thing is the dad was not to interested about the church, but he was so into the pamphlet and just nose buried in every scripture we had him read. We will see how they did next time we meet with them. And see if we can shoot for a goal date for baptism!

2.) I don't like pressure... And of course my companion is the DL over the AP's.. And he sets up exchanges with the ape's. Well yesterday we had those exchanges. But, I loved every second of it!  Elder Broulim and man was it fun. He's been out 19 months and I learned a lot from him. Here's what I learned and I advise you to try it on you mission, Have fun while you do the work. Just because you are doing hard serious work doesn't mean you can't still be adventurous, and out going, mischievous, and silly. There's just a time and a place for it. Another thing I am trying to work on... Anyways we went to this guys house. His name is Mike Sullivan. HE IS A PSYCHO!! Hahaha this man does not stop talking, not to even take a breath. Hahaha. Yesterday was probably the highlight of my week!

3.) That's all my dudes! I miss you all! I love you guys! Sorry for slacking off the past couple of week! I hope all is well back in WJ and wherever the heck you all are haha. Just one last thing.
I have seen miracles while being out here. I have seen the Lord's hand in just about everything I've done out here as well. I am so grateful for this Gospel and the peace, joy, and happiness brings not just to me, but as well as the lives of investigators. Even the members we meet with. I am grateful for everything the Lord has given me in my life. Especially all of the people he as put in my life. I thank if every morning and night for all of you. I fell the love through all the prayers sent my way! I love you all so much! Have an amazing week y'all! God bless!!!

Oh and I have officially worn a hole through both my shoes!!!!!​​
OH and I have been wanting to go fishing, and some dude has Coy fish on his front porch in a barrel, so we went fishing! Haha

Missionary NERD. Who does he get that from???

Another Arizona sunset

Man this kid and sunsets....

"Holey" shoes, wearin' em out in the service of God

WEEK 22-No email but he did send these pictures of "beautiful sunsets" to make us jealous...I guess????