FHE with a Seattle Seahawk!

We had a great family home evening with Will Tukuafu, a full back for the Seattle Seahawks.  He is from Tonga.  He comes from a large family being the 15th child out of 16 children.  Wow, that makes my family seem small.  He told us a brief part of his life.  As a young man he wanted to serve a mission but his family had little money so he gave up football scholarships out of high school and  worked full time to be able to save enough to serve the Lord on a mission.  He was called to Jamaica.  It was a time that changed his life.  The mission taught him so much about Jesus Christ, he learned how precious it is to be part of an eternal family.  He found that getting up early, planning out his day and working hard became part of the foundation for the rest of his life.  It is what has blessed him in his career.

Will is a sweet, humble BIG man.  He told of ups and downs in his life.  He told how his planned path for an education and career changed as he allowed the Lord to put him in places he did not intend to go.  He was rejected from BYU football because he was lacking 1/2 credit to be admitted.  He told us of opportunities to play football for a small junior college Arizona team (the fighting artichokes.  I do not know if that is real or a joke...but it was funny).  He had a teammate that the NFL was interested in watching so there were lots of scouts at their training.  His hard work and persistence at being the best that he could be paid off.  He was invited to the draft.  But he did not get on the list.  He talked about being discouraged but not letting it change his determination.  He finally got an offer from the SF 49ers.  Today he plays for the Seahawks--#42.

Let me tell you that the Seattle Seahawks are a BIG DEAL up here!  Everyone is a fan!  Every store clerk wears the loyal navy and green Seahawk shirt to work.  All the restaurants are decked out in Seahawks fare.

We met a gentle giant of a man who loves and trusts in his Heavenly Father.  He lives the standards of the Church in a world that doesn't understand.  He shares his testimony with many people. He helps his teammates know of Jesus Christ and the power of prayer.  He sets a great example of being a father and loving his family.  It was quite a spiritual night and a memory we will never forget!  Now I am a fan.