07-19-10

Elder Tuttle's info is sound and I heard that we fly out Tuesday, not Wednesday like those in Albuquerque do. So I go to Denver and then I will probably have a layover in Chicago right? What is my ETA on the 27th.? (Snail mail came with his itinerary while we were on-line. He flies from Durango to Denver, gets a plane through Chicago to Albany. He will arrive after 8 pm.)
We won't know when we are to go to the mission home until Waturday night when we get transfer news. We will probably go up Monday night and stay over in someones' apartment and then leave the next morning. Probably not to much as way of departing interview is my guess, to much stuff going on.
Kyle is progressing but we think that we are going to push his date back another week so we can have him fully prepared but we will see tonight, when we met with them.
That's cool that cousin Travis enters the MTC a day after I depart and that Chad will fly into Durango on his way home next month.
Here in Crownpoint our pdays are split. Half on Monday and half on Thursday so we can go shopping when we are in town for District Meeting. When we are finish e-mailing we go back to work today.
It's been pretty hot here the past couple of days this past week. Too warm.

07-12-10

Uncle Bill did come by and get his bike. I didn't see him bc we were doing service and they had to get home to do some irrigation. I left the bike out back behind my trailer and they picked it up. They also left me banana bread and $20. They are so nice.
I haven't heard anymore on transfers or anything. Elder Borup has "killed" (been with them just prior to their release from service) 3 previous companions and he said that I am overdo for my release papers. I think that the mission is still tyring to figure out how they are going to get us home. They just called the new APs. The logistics of the whole thing are probably overwhelming.
We did have one investigator at church which was great, seeing how we set a baptismal date with him last week. His name is Kyle. His mom is less active and we are teaching her too, but she hasn't come to church yet. The date is set for the
31st of July. We also had quite a few less actives at church that we have been working with.

07-06-10

We did not have any large fire works show here, just individuals and their fireworks. Those in Edgewood last year were better. People where still setting some off last night.
Elder Tuttle just told me that the transfers are moved up to the 27th of this month, but I'm not sure if thats right or not. I haven't had any conformation yet. Tuttle noted president didn't say if we would be going home then or would still wait a week before we get shipped out, but we both think that it is most likely that they ship us with transfers on the 27th, less hassle and what not.
Tuttle said that Pres. Jones told them in their zone conference. I guess that he forgot to tell us in ours. He's a busy man.
I will miss my comp.'s ability to spell, thats for sure!
Souveniers: What about a cowboy hat? lol i was thinking about getting somethings but then I figure it would be a waste of money bc I'll probably never use them. I don't know what i would want anyway. It's hard to find the pot i want, lol.
Ok i wont buy anything unless drawn lol. ok and no cowboy hat.
My bike is in the shed behind the trailer which is behind the church.
We picked up 2 new investigators but not much other than that. We had one of our youth investigators at sacrament meeting which was great. We hope he comes back next week. All the members are excited for the mission slip though it doesn't really effect them. Everything is going good.

06-28-10

We meet for the first time with our new Mission Pres, Pres. Jones next Monday in interviews.
Elder Borup burns his shirt this Wednesday which is fun. (A crazy tradition done to mark the completion of 12 months of missionary service). .
It is kind of funny that the Mission Home is located on Apache St. when the vast majority of the mission is either Navajo or Hopi Reservation.

06-21-10 Transfers

As for transfer news I am staying in Crownpoint and will finish my mission in the newly formed Farmington Mission. (See 2/17/10 post for map of new mission boundaries.)
Our new mission office address as of the 28th of June is:
New Mexico Farmington Mission Office
400 West Apache Street
Farmington, NM 87401
Elder Borup is also staying here with me.
We picked up some new investigators but then they went back to their home this week, so we gain and then we loose. Oh well. We had a great Father's Day dinner with a member who lives alone bc his wife can't stand it here and lives in NV.

06-14-10

We did get to go to Chaco Canyon and it was pretty interesting. Crazy symbols and stuff.
The location of Zone Conf. depends. Last time it was in Farmington but our next one will be in Gallup. It was our last one with Pres. Anderson as he's going home at the end of the month. It's not really a big deal to say goodbye. I'm so close to the end not to much gets me annoyed unlike my companion, for example. Aah.
Writing is tiring and I'm just trying to make it to the end peacefully lol.
It's hard to tell about people out here. They don't tell you no to your face so we just keep going by until something happens.
At church services we help with the sacrament a lot, but that's about it . We have strong members here, but not a lot of youth.
Ya so I didn't get a rug sorry, lol. How about a pot? I was looking at some nice pots but I'm not sure how to get it home.
We didn't celebrate Flag Day out here.

06-07-10

I just haven't felt like writing lately, sorry.
School has been out here for quite a while. In fact, they have already started summer school.
Things are picking up. we got 4 new investigators this past week.

06-01-10

ELDER BUHLER'S 21ST BRITHDAY!
Thats sweet that Emily got her job!
Zone Conf went well. For Zone Conf. lunch they served was salad and taco soup. I know a few Elders in the Zone but not most of them.
Hey, I have been writing in my journal and have been recording funny moments there. I'll send a letter with some day to day stuff and funnys in it.
Well, it's the first of the month and we got a new allotment of miles on our truck, so I'm happy, lol. Not a whole lot to report. No investigator at sacrament meeting or anything, unfortunately.

05-24-10

Everything is going well. The previous elders sound like slackers hard core.
We go into Thoreou for District Meeting. It takes about 1/2 an hour or so to get there. Elder Munz is our district leader.
The days are warmer but the nights are colder. As soon as the sun sets the temp. drops.
Yes, they have nice Navajo rugs for sale. I'm just not to big into the Navajo arts and crafts I guess. I do like their food though. lol.
We have Zone Conf. this Wednesday so that should be fun =)

05-17-10

My new address is PO Box 1248 Crownpoint, NM 87313
The area has been closed for 3 months so we reopened it and doubled in (both missionaries moving in at the same time). Our trailer is nice and has everything we need. With the area having been closed we are starting from scratch, basically. There where about as many people at church as we have in our branch in Hudson (30-40). It's a branch here, by the way. We have a nice blue truck which runs great. Her name is Gwen. There is a recent convert that we go visit quite often. Yesterday we had Branch Conference and a potluck lunch which was great.

05-10-10 Transfers

(We had a great phone conversation with Jake yesterday, Mother's Day. He told us that he was being transferred to Crownpoint, NM (In Navajo: Tʼiistsʼóóz Ńdeeshgizh) on the Navajo Indian Reservation.
He said he had been asked to ordain one of the new converts to the Aaronic Priesthood. WE also talked about all I needed to do to have him registered etc. for college..can't believe it's getting so close. Mom)

05-08-10

05-04-10

The temple was amazing as always! I talked to Pres. & Sister Shumway for a bit while waiting to get my clothes and I also thanked Pres Udall again for transporting the bike.
President Anderson didn't approve skype.
"We have not authorized the use of Skype, or any video internet service, as this is too demanding of others and very inaccessible to most."
I don't know how it's demanding but whatever, I do what I'm told. =)
We will probably make phone calls around 3:30 or so.
We have new investigator named Dwayne who's is going though a tough times right now, but we taught him last Tuesday and invited him to church, which he did!
I still work and do my job so I don't think I'm trunky, but thanks for the prayers anyways!

04-26-10

I'm actually starting to work on my tan =) I'll be black by the time I get home lol.
As for phone calls in a few weeks we have a member to go to to make the calls.
W we are also throwing around the idea of using skype. Have you heard of that yet? If not ask Emily. You could use the web cam on her laptop so we can video conference. Still trying to find a family who has a web cam but we'll find one, eventually.
That's good that Emily got home safely and hope she gets a job soon.
The "less active" work is going good. We have had three or four less active members back to church recently, which is great! We just have a low to none investigator pool right now, but we're working on that.

04-19-10

April 3rd is our assigned temple day for this spring. It's coming quick.
I will ask Bishop if he knows the Rencher's or the Nikolaus'.
Things are going well. Talked to quite a few people this week, but unfortunately none are really progressing. We are trying to find new people but it's slow.
David Hunt is doing very well. He was interviewed for the priesthood on Sunday. He wants to go and do baptisms in the temple.
The twins are doing well. Edgar is going to the Singles' Ward so we don't see him much.
They built a new Rio Rancho Stake Center across from the high School. High Range and Panorama Heights Wards will be going to that building, which leaves Cabezon and us, Star Heights, in the building on Golf Course.

04-12-10

I did get the Easter package, thank you very much. I will send a card of thanks to the Primary.
I did stay in the Star Heights Ward and now have Elder Gregson as my companion. He is from Canada,like Elder Bigler, but Gregson is from Alberta. He is big into basketball and football and sports in general. We hit the baseball around a bit the last pday waiting for the zone leaders to show up.
Our Bishop here is Bishop Caldwell and he is from Snowflake area origanlly.
I just got to meet Tyler Heap and his family when he came to our door to introduce himself before they left for the funeral. His family seem very nice.
That's good that the funeral went well and your and Carrigan's flight as well.
The weather here has gotten warm and is now more like I remembered it.
The work is going ok. Still trying to find solid people to teach, but the ward is starting to pick up a bit so hopefully that will keep going.
General Conference was great! I loved all the talks and everything! Its great with the Internet to be able to hear the talks and everything.
It was a pretty standard week, except we had a great Zone Conferance on Tuesday.

03-29-10 Transfers

President Anderson called last night to let me know that Grandma had passed away. I am sad to hear that and though I am only four hours away, unfortunatly I won't be able to attend the funneral, we can't leave mission boundaries. I hope your doing alright.
Just to let you know about transfers. I am staying and getting a new companion who has been out a little over 6 months. Elder Bigler is going to Mt. Taylor, a little west from here. So I stay for another transfer but that's alright.

03-28-10

03-22-10

The baptism for Edgar went great last night. There was a large turnout, 50 people or so. We will confirm him next Sunday at the West Mesa Singles' Branch. So things are going pretty good here.
On pdays we usually email and stuff, and play basketball or football. It's all good, though the people are somewhat different from those on the east side.
I'm so glad to hear that my flowers are growing! I miss flowers and grass and all that good stuff. We walked by a place with horses the other day and the smell reminded me of home. (This made me smile in that our home is in a somewhat agriculture area, but we do not have any farm animals in the immediate vacinity)
We have two more weeks of suit season and then that's the last one for me.
I filled out our Census Questionaire like 2 weeks ago. I hope I did it right. I thought it was funny that we got a letter from the First Presidency telling us to participate.

03-15-10

David was invited by our ward mission leader here in the Star Heights Ward to take the discussions. We taught him the first two times at the mission leader's home but bc David lives within the High Range Ward boundaries we decided to integrate him into that Ward right away. So, our last appointment and the next one will be held at the mission leader's with both us and the sister missionaries from the High Range Ward teaching. After that the sister's will teach David in his home. His baptism is still set for the 27 of this month.
Edger is doing great. He had his baptismal interview yesterday and so all is good to go now. Just hammering out the details.

That's awesome that Spencer passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review!

The twins we baptised recently are so similar that I don't even try to tell them apart. I just call one of their names and the one that responds gets the question, lol.

Hope everything is going good at home!

P.S. In the one of the letters that the Seminary class sent me someone mentioned trek was coming up. I was wondering if that's true and if so, if I could participate somehow? I would love to volunteer to help with that.

(It brings very mixed feelings to know he will be home in time for that. Mom)

03-09-10

Last night we set a baptismal date with a gentleman named David. It's set for the
27th of March. It's cool b/c he picked the date himself and it's not to far off. We are excited and are praying that all goes well.

03-08-10

That's cool that cousin Tyler wants to hook up. He is in our district boundaries, but out of our ward boundaries.
We had to move Edgars date back a week bc his girl friend who he wants to be there will be out of town so it's now scheduled to the 21st. Other than that, he is progressing really well! His older sister, who just got married, week sat in on one of our lessons and had some good questions. We are going to start teaching her now as well. "Where there are elect you will find other elect." So we are way excited for that.
This past Saturday we had another baptism. These however, were children of record baptisms. The girls are 8 but because the family is less active the bishop asked if we could teach them and prepare them for baptism. I've only worked with them for the three weeks since I arrived, but they are so awesome.
The bike's working alright. I had to get another tube for it bc I bought the lame ones last time without realizing it.
Our boundaries go way west and its all just dirt and nothingness. Kind of like being on the reservation on bikes or something, lol. We do most all our work in the city area anyway, so its ok. And no, 4 wheeling is not approved, would have been fun to ride with Tyler's family.
That's way sweet that Germantown High School boys basketball team won sectionals.
Go GCS!
The weather here has been nice recently but were not sure what we are in for, coming up.
I'm doing fine. My companion has had a little episode of the flu/cold but we hope that it is over with now.

02-27-10

One of the most awesome families I have had the pleasure of meeting on my mission is the Foderaro family. They live in the Sandia Ward in Albuquerque where I recently served for 4.5 months. Brother Foderaro is on the High Council of the Albq East Stake and loves making jokes! Brother and Sister Foderaro have five children and they are ALL way cool!
One indicator of their being so cool is their finding my blog site without me telling them about it. Their oldest daughter was looking up pictures on the net of the New Mexico Albuquerque Temple and came across my blog which, as you can see, proudly displays a picture of this wonderful temple.
The following Sunday they did not hesitate to tell me that they had located my blog and had read a good deal on it, but were disappointed to find that there had been no mention of them. So, in order to correct such a blatant oversight, I dedicate this post to them, so that they may be duly recognized on my blog!
I love you Foderaro family. Take care and I'll see you when I'm back in town.
Yours truly, Elder Buhler (Click on photo to get a better look.)

2-22-10

I don't think I would be able to get permission to attend the baptism in Sandia, even if cousin Tyler could take us, but it's ok. I've missed others so it's no big deal to miss another. Plus, we just set a date with an investigator here the 14th of March.
We are still on a bikes. I am sending my boots home, I hardly used them at all this winter and since I didn't get transferred to the reservation I don't see me needing them anymore.
I'm sending a photo of a young man, Jesse, Elder Proskine and I taught when we worked in Indian School last year. Jesse was baptised in Utah and then returned to Albuquerque and has been in the Singles Ward where I just came from. Elder Proskine has been off his mission for a while but came back to visit and we all met up at church. Cool, ya!
I am trying to learn the area and get to know the people here. It's a pretty crazy area with huge hills and weird roads, but its all good. Hope all is well!

2-18-10

The New Mexico Albuquerque Mission will have the following nine stakes (bold stakes are currently in the mission):
Albuquerque New Mexico Stake----- Albuquerque NM East Stake
Albuquerque NM West Stake-----Rio Rancho New Mexico Stake
Santa Fe New Mexico Stake-----Los Lunas NM Stake
Las Cruces New Mexico Stake----- El Paso Texas Stake
El Paso Texas Mount Franklin Stake

The New Mexico Farmington Mission will have the following 12 stakes (bold stakes are currently in the Albuquerque NM mission)
Durango Colorado Stake
Farmington New Mexico Stake-----Bloomfield New Mexico Stake
Gallop New Mexico Stake-----Kirtland New Mexico Stake
Monticello Utah Stake-----Blanding Utah Stake
Blanding Utah West Stake-----Chinle Arizona Stake
Holbrook Arizona Stake-----Flagstaff Arizona Stake
Page Arizona Stake----- Tuba City Arizona Stake
Winslow Arizona Stake

(Taken from a letter the mission issued to the missionaries dated 2/13/10 The letter cautions the missionaries not to spend time worrying or talking of the changes, but to focus on the work they have at hand. Mom)

2-17-10

Click on images to see them enlarged.

2-16-10 Transfers

Transfers have come and gone and I am now sitting next to my new companion Elder Bigler. I have been transplanted to the area known as Star Heights in Rio Rancho which is just north and west of the city of Albuquerque. Elder Pahulu stayed In Sandia/Eubank and is now with Elder Webb who transferred up from Socorro where he had been trained by Elder Cooper.
I am going to miss Sandia/ Eubank. We had a baptism set for the 27th. However, its all good.
We were alerted to the upcoming creation of the NM Farmington Mission and the changes in the NM Albuquerque Mission boundaries. I will send a copy of the paper we received which shows the new boundries. It is going to take place on July 1st, the same time the new mission presidents arrive. I will have a whole month in the new boundaries. Whether it will be in the Farmington or Albuquerque boundaries we will not know until the transfer just immediately prior to July 1. Whatever area we are assigned to in that transfer, that will be the mission that we will be in. Because that transfer will be my last, even if I end up in the Farmington Mission I won't have an opportunity to serve in Monticello or anything.

I hope everything is going great at home. We didn't email yesterday bc it was Presidents' Day and all the libraries were closed.

02-13-10

02-08-10

This is the last week before transfers. It's been going good here. Pres. said in interviews that it was time for a change for me, but we will see. He told that to Elder Tuttle in Cherry Hills his 2nd transfer and he stayed another 3 transfers, so we'll have to wait and see. I love the area and the wards but its getting tiring riding up and and down the same street all the time.

I did get your package thank you very much! It was great! I liked the candy the best. lol I don't eat Tabasco sauce anymore. It's to bland, I like the habanaro Tabasco.
We taught the guy who walked in to church the first lesson on Wednesday. He is pretty much golden.
I'm glad I gave up soda. Elder Pahulu has been helping me work out with free weights more. I'm trying to "bulk up" some so I'll be in better shape.
I'm trying to drink just short of a gallon a day of water a day, but the water isn't that great.
I'm tired but now it's off to play football.

02-01-10

Sorry about no email this week! We were going to do it after basketball but we lost track of time and then ran out of time to do it.
Really sorry, just letting you know though that everything is great. We picked up a new investigator and have high hopes for him.

01-30-10

"Today marks Jake's 18th month anniversary as a missionary!
We sent him a card wishing a him a Happy Jump/Pump Day and a few
items to help him get 'pumped up' and obtain a 'jump start' on the
making the most of the time he has remaining to serve the Lord and people of New Mexico." His family.

01-25-10

The weather has been crazy. As we were out walking on Friday we experianced rain, sleet, hail and snow all within a half hour or so. Then on Saturday when we were out and it was sunny and then it got dark and hailed for 15 min covering the ground with white, then it was gone and 15 mins. later it rained and then half hour later it was completely gone. Yep crazy.
I some ways it is easier to approach people when tracting but as members you are more in tune with what the people you interact have going on in their lives. A dramatic event or change does not always make someone question themselves enough to open the way for them to be ready to accept the gospel. We tracted into a guy the other day who was elderly and really nice. His wife had just died so we tried to share with him about life after death but he wasn't interested. I have found it works best when you are specific in what you pray for, like with specific dates and times and people and what not. But keep in mind that the Lord is going to do what is best.
We had a nonmember young single adult walk into the ward yesterday out of the blue. He is from Kayenta Az and is here for school at Univ. of NM. He hadn't had religion in his life until last summer when he started to attend the branch that they have in his home town. We are hoping to be able to teach him, which would be way awsome!
It's crazy that it's week 4 of this transfer, time is moving fast.

01-19-10

Elder Pahulu is Tongan and therefor is an islander though he's never been to Tonga.
We have been hearing about the cold problem in Florida as well. Fortunately, Elder Pahulus family is not in the fruit business. We just had rain here the other night and now its all mud. The sun didn't come out until about 1 pm but now its starting to dry up.
That's so sweet that Hudson youth took the "triple crown"!! I'm way excited for them! Yea. go Hudson!
Everything is going well now. I got sick last week from some 24 hour bug it seems. I didn't go out for the two days to make sure I was over it but all is better now.
We also traveled to the Indian School building for Zone Conf. It was very nice. But now we are back on a more normal schedule.

01-11-10

I bought a new helmet and it's real nice =) I like it.
Elder Pahulu is from Palm Beach, Florida and has been out about 11 months.
I hear that its been pretty cool on the east coast. Florida has been loosing fruit from what people are telling Pahulu.
It's been ok here. It hasn't gotten over 50 degrees in awhile and it's usually in the 30s, which is still cold for bike riding. Edler Pahulu doesn't care for it.
So Stake Volleyball tournament is coming up. Well that should be fun. Hope they win and keep your pride as Hudsoners going.
Things have slowed down here. I think as the temp. drops people's listening skills drop as well. We have been loosing people and are having a hard time getting new ones, but hopefully this week will turn out better. Just not the best way to start off the new year, you know.
I hope everyone is doing great and its wonderful to hear from you!

01-04-10 Transfers

Uncle Bill was successful. I got the bike on New Year's Day. from the first counselor in the Temple Presidency. The Temple Pres., Doug Shumway, mom's former employer, would have brought it back with him from Eagar, AZ right after Christmas but was traveling in a small car. His first counselor, however, returned this week from St. Johns, AZ and had room for the bike. It will work for 7 months I think.
The Eldorado Elder's dream didn't come true. I am staying in Sandia and Elder Smith is leaving to Taylor Ranch which is on the west side of Albuquerque. I am getting Elder Pahulu, an islander who is coming from Gallup.
My retainer is working great and isn't painful at all now.
I am doing well and just getting my haircut today. About time might I say 2. lol
Well hope you had a happy New Year's and I'll try and be a better letter writer this transfer. Also for my New Years resolution I thought I would let you know that I gave up soda. ttyl

01-01-10