Mga minamahal na kaibigan at pamilya ko,
Masaganang Bagong Taon sa inyo!
Being a missionary continues to be really blessing for me in all that I do. I hope that all of your lives are blessed in the New Year as you strive to be better disciples of Jesus Christ and improve yourself.
I got to talk to my family this week, so hopefully they relayed to you at home that I’m definitely still alive, and the answers to all their questions. It was a happy occasion, and I’m glad we were able to see each other again.
I have pictures this week, but they are less than I actually took because the upload speed is real slow at this computer shop.
We continue to be blessed with numerous gifts from the people we visit and teach, but we try to do things for them in return. I chopped onions for a meal we made for a dinner appointment with the Alupani family. The weird green vegetable I’m holding is called ampalaya, and it is a bitter melon that tastes pretty interesting. We received it from the Tamag family, a former investigating family the barangay closest to the chapel in Santo Domingo. They also gave us a watermelon, which was matamis, pero mabigat! (sweet, but heavy (we had to carry it almost a mile home))
On the 30th, we had the privilege of going out and working with the branch president in Santo Domingo, President Tabangcura. Almost by coincidence, we saw him at the hospital and got to give his wife and his mother in law priesthood blessings. Then we performed three special sacraments, one for the branch president’s family and two for different less actives in Magsingal. It was a wild experience, cause the less actives hadn’t had the sacrament in more than ten years. They were really happy.
On the 31st, we almost had a zone activity, hiking in Santo Domingo, and the pictures I took are of the whole zone sans Elder Maroket and I. I was up on a hill, hanging out with some YSAs from Santo Domingo. Later in the day, a member taught me how to solve a Rubik’s cube, which was pretty surreal, to be honest. Then we got to participate in a prenup for a couple of YSAs in the branch who are getting married. Then we ate at Mang Inasal again, and then went to a New Year’s party with some investigators. It was pretty busy, but loads of fun.
I wish you all the best again.
Mahal na mahal ko po kayo,
Salamat para sa lahat,
Elder Tripp
Tagalog
Mga minamahal na kaibigan at pamilya ko - My beloved friends and family
Masaganang Bagong Taon sa inyo! - Great new year to you!
matamis, pero mabigat! - sweet, but heavy!
Mahal na mahal ko po kayo - I love you very much
Salamat para sa lahat - Thanks for everything