Aking minamahal na pamilya at mga kaibigan,
It’s been a bit since I last wrote so I’ll try to chronicle in short my experiences of the past couple of weeks.
Heads up, I’m going to switch between “I” and “we” a lot, because all my experiences feel so collective with my district and my companion that it’s hard to claim that I did these things alone.
On the the fifteenth of October, half of my district left for the Philippines, leaving the rest of us behind. Although our parting was sad, it was great that they finally got to the Philippines. (We met up with when we got here, and it’s been wonderful to hang with them.)
Right before I left from Provo, I got to be a host for brand new missionaries. It was pretty crazy guiding totally new people to their rooms and reassuring them that everything would be okay.
Additionally, in the final few days in Provo, our teachers showed us a bunch of pictures from their missions. It was awesome to see how their experiences helped them, and it really made me excited to finally get out here.
Fast forward to the 22nd at 3 o’clock, we head out on a bus, then a train, then a plane, then a bus, then another plane, and finally another bus, and bam! We’re in the Philippines MTC. I’m actually in the Philippines now. It’s awesome and crazy being here. Since getting here, we’ve had a bunch of wild experiences. Traffic is hectic, the MTC president is awesome, the food is delicious both in the MTC and outside, the Manila temple is great place, I got to eat food with my hands, we got to leave the MTC and go teach native Filipinos, we got the leave the MTC to go to a Filipino bakery, a Filipino cafe, and a Filipino grocery store, and most crazy, someone had just gotten married after we got out of our temple session, so they asked my district to be in some of their wedding photos. One of the guys in my district got some of those photos, so I’ll definitely see if I can get some of those. I’m so pumped to be in the Philippines, and I know the Lord will bless us as we strive to love and serve the Filipino people.
I have not much time left for emailing, so I’ll leave you guys with a scripture that has really become one of my favorites as I’ve been on my mission, and that’s Mosiah 2:41. “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.” It’s just awesome for me how many blessings and gifts we receive from the Lord if we are faithful, and being happy during this life is one of the greatest gift our Heavenly Father has given us.
Next time I email everyone, I’ll be in my mission field, teaching and preaching in Tagalog all the time. I hope I have even more experiences to share with you all.
Mahal ko po lahat kayo,
Elder Tripp
P.S. It’s not the best picture, but it’s one of the few I took. Pasensiya po, better picture next time.
Tagalog
Aking minamahal na pamilya at mga kaibigan - My beloved friends and family
Mahal ko po lahat kayo - I love you all