7-8-16 Going to the Denver Colorado Mission until my Visa is done

BULA NA NOQU MATAVUVALE

So I received some bittersweet news from my district president yesterday and I'll expand on it later.

My visas have not finished processing, and will very likely not be finished processing for several weeks, AND SO, BITTERSWEET NEWS: Au na SEGA ni lako ki Viti! (I will NOT be going to Fiji!)

Not yet, anyway. Until my visa has finished processing, I have been assigned to a new, temporary mission: The Denver, Colorado mission! How cool is that??

 I didn't think it was cool at all, when I received the news yesterday. I've been waiting for Viti (Fiji) for six weeks (really like three or four months) and then I get reassigned to a new mission for a time. At most, I will spend one full transfer there (six weeks). Depending on how long my visa takes to process, I could serve in Colorado between six weeks and a few days. I am bummed that I won't be able to fly out with my intake, and I am concerned about my six week max period without speaking vakaviti (Fijian) that I might lose it, but how awesome!??

 I expressed my discomfort to Brother Siga (teacher), and he made me see just how incredible an experience it'll be. I get to serve in two missions, two countries! And I get to see these different methods of teaching, how the members and nonmembers interact with missionaries in two completely different areas of the world. 

When I receive all my contact info about my temporary mission, I'll let you guys know for sure. Elder Hunkin's visa is also still processing, so he'll fly out to Colorado with me on Wednesday, July 13th at about 8:15am. 

Anyways, I'll find out more about my mission and let you folks know if I need anything especially for my new mission that I might not be able to get myself. Full letter to come soon, I love you guys so much! Au lomani kemudou valevu!

-Elda Ishibashi

BULAAAAAAAAAA VINAKA NA NAQO MATAVUVALE WANANAVU!!

Oh man, oh man, oh man! What an interesting week! Whereas last week I couldn't find my journal with my weekly notes in it, I have come to the conclusion that I have in fact lost my journal so I again will have to go by memory on the events of this week. It's definitely in the residence somewhere because it's never left the residence, so it'll come up in the next few days as we clean the flat. 

Sheesh. To be honest yesterday was so eventful and incredible that I can't really even remember what happened all week. My investigators! Vitu (Brother Siga) has quit drinking, repented of his sins, attended church three weeks in a row, has been taught every lesson and is getting baptized tomorrow! Luke Latidraiketi (Brother Heath) has also been scheduled to be baptized on Monday and has made excellent progress since we've first met him. I know they're not real but I'm preeetty proud of myself man and Elder Hunkin. 

Tuesday night's devotional was absolutely wonderful. I think his name was Marlin K. Jensen, excellent talk on the importance of loving the people in the mission field and repentance. There is no doubt in my mind that all the men and women who have spoken during my stay here in the MTC were inspired by the Spirit to address all of the needs of those present. These men are called of God and it is so evident in the way they present themselves and represent the Lord. 

I just looked through my camera and remembered SO much I have to write about haha. First off, I got my flight plans!! (Which is irrelevant now, but I'll get back to that) That was wayyy exciting to find in the mailbox haha.

Those came in last week Saturday, and that night, FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION! We did it Saturday night instead of Monday because people work on Mondays and whatnot. Anyways, that was soooo much fun. The fireworks were pretty lame because we could only watch from the MTC parking lot, so there was a huge building blocking the fireshow but we saw a few good ones shoot above the building. The best part was just being there in the parking lot at night with the whole MTC just celebrating, singing, cheering and taking pictures. I took a few and I'll include them, so much fun!

The musical number Elder Green, Elder Satuala and I performed went really well. We sang "Bear another's burden's" by the Moleni Brothers. We also auditioned in front of the MTC presidency to sing it at a devotional if possible, and we got on the yes list! (which is really the maybe list, and we were on the maybe list with about 10 other groups so eh. I don't like singing in front of crowds anyway) I got to bear my testimony, and all my district members followed me. What incredible examples, I can't wait to see them in Fiji again! 

Which leads me to my next subject, fast forward to yesterday!!

In-field devotional. All day. Nine hours of classes and workshops. I did manage to stay awake through it all and it really was an awesome and super spiritual experience. TO THE GOOD STUFF THOUGH. During my first workshop, I was called to the travel agency. They told me that my visa has not been processed, and would not be processed in several weeks, SO I have received a call to a different, temporary mission. For the next six weeks (max), I will be serving as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Denver, Colorado mission! My main concern is losing a good amount of my Fijian as I don't speak it there, then jumping straight into Fiji vakavalagi-fied. I just know that as I do well in Colorado, the Lord will bless me however I need in Fiji. Another concern is that I might need a suit in Colorado, and there is no way I can tract or ride a bike or just be in my blue suit every day. It's so dodgy and tattered now, I might just need to buy a black suit coat. Whatever happens, how cool?? Two countries, two languages, two cultures, same gospel! I cannot wait, aggghh. 

After the devotionals, my district did TRC (Teaching Resource Center), which is where we speak to a Fijian RM. There is no roleplaying involved, we're speaking to them as they are. A college student, a husband or wife with kids and a job, just a normal RM from Fiji. The purpose is basically just for the missionaries to share a nice little spiritual thought with these people in Fijian, as school and work and life can be stressful at times. Anyways, we got to TRC and was lead to the computer lab where we'd be skyping our TRC people. The girls were placed first and assigned an RM. 

The RM: HERBERT. I was so frustrated. I asked the instructor if I could switch with them, he said no, which I understand. He said if it were up to him I could've, which was nice, but the staff told him not to let me talk to Herb. I couldn't even say hi in the background or yell so he could hear me. The trio was assigned next, then us. We got a suuuper chill guy named Brother Tuifina'i (?) I know that's not it but it's something like that. He's in school studying engineering (?), lives in Ogden, works for the Color Run and is engaged. He returned home a year ago and also knows Herbert. Super awesome guy, we shared a message with him about faith in trials and the pure love of our heavenly father. It was sooo cool being able to speak to him AND understand his Fijian almost entirely. After we bore our testimonies, he asked to bear his testimony, and he did, and it was beautiful. He wished us luck on our missions, and told us to do one thing especially: love the people, and I haven't a single doubt in my mind that I will. Just an incredible experience overall, holy smokes.

It was a little hard to focus with Herb's voice in the background haha (they just put a headset on the table for the mic and opened the audio) but we were able to get an excellent and spiritual message across. I feel that if I were to skype Herb, I would have been too distracted to share a good thought, and that I would have missed him more afterwards.

There is something so amazing about being able to express your emotions in another tongue, and to hear other people's testimonies in that tongue. I'm so grateful to be here. My time in the MTC is something I will cherish forever, so I can only imagine how Fiji will affect me haha.

Super funny, when we left TRC and met up with the girls back at the classroom (they finished first and head back early), Sisita Joni approached me and said, “ VOSOTI AU LEVU, OH NA NOQU GOODNESS NA NOQU CA!”  (I'm so sorry, oh my goodness my bad!) I got confused and asked, “what's up?” And she responded,  “I DIDN'T KNOW HE DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE GOING TO COLORADO!” I just had to laugh so hard. Apparently, what happened was:

They were just talking when Herbert asked if he was correct in that I would be going to Fiji on Monday. Sisita Joni, thinking that Herbert knew about my temporary alternative mission, said “No, he goes to Colorado on Wednesday.”

Herbert: Eh???? Koya sega ni lako ki Viti??

Sisita Joni: ??????.......!!!!!!!!!!! OI LEI

And so Herbert knew since yesterday haha, found out through my district sisita. Super funny how it all came up. 

I'm so happy for Uncle! Please send pictures if you have them!! That is so so awesome that you guys are teaching him, I'm praying for him and Aunty that they'll be able to feel the Spirit in your meetings and to make manifest unto them, in their hearts, the truthfulness of the things you folks discuss. How cool will it be when 'Io comes home and he can talk to Aunty eh?? Keep me updated on their progress please! Mom, thank you so much for the talk! I haven't gotten around to reading the whole thing, I will today though, but what I did read was wonderful.

Tell how everything is at home! How's work for dad and Mikel? School for the kids? Child-loving for mom and U'i? I hope you're all in good health and doing well in all your different areas.

Anyways, I've been on for a while so I'll close it here. Pictures to come. Next time you guys hear from me, it'll be from some internet cafe or library in Denver! I've already been instructed by some missionaries to say what's up to their friends in Denver, if anyone in the ward or you guys know someone in Denver, let me know! I'll try to hit them up in my short time there. 

I love you guys so much. Thank you guys for everything, I know that this is where I'm supposed to be and thank you guys so much for getting me to this point in my life. I couldn't and wouldn't have done it without you, and I already know that this is the single greatest decision I have ever made. I could not ask for a better family on the face of this Earth, who I know loves me and supports me in everything. I love you guys more than words can say. I love and appreciate my heavenly father and my brother Jesus Christ for their incredible sacrifices. I know without a shadow of a doubt that everything I have and everything I am is a result of this great gospel; this true gospel of Jesus Christ which was restored in these latter-day by the prophet Joseph smith. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that God lives, that he loves us and knows us individually. I know that because he loves us, he has called a true and living prophet, which is Thomas S. Monson. I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded me, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they might accomplish that task. I love our savior, I love this gospel, I love love LOVE this work, and I love you guys. 

Au lomani kemudou valevu, until next time, tukuna vei kemudou mai Colorado!

Moce!!

-Elda Ishibashi

-study session feat. Elders Tiafala kei Drokadroka

-Irrelevant Travel Itinerary (unless you wanted to know Elder Drokadroka's itinerary, in which case here you go)

-Long day

-Temple flowers

-MIGHT (Morgan, Ishibashi, Green, Hunkin, Tiafala)

-MIGHT

-Squat

-This picture makes me think of the Kiribis word for cookie (Tecookie)

-Currently

7-1-16 Another week another giant testimony builder.

Bula na naqu matavuvale!

The count down begins! 11 days to Fiji, how crazy is that! I was talking to my district in class about Sunday plans, because a few missionaries and I are planning to do a number in sacrament next week Sunday (since this Sunday is fast Sunday). I brought up the fact that the Sunday after next week Sunday will be spent in a ward in Fiji, and the room fell silent for a few minutes in realization of the short remainder of time we have here. Can't wait! 

Anyways, another week another giant testimony builder. I don't have the notes in my journal I usually bring to the laundry room to remind me what I need to write about, so I'll just try to go by memory alone. I gave a talk on repentance last week Sunday. We're always supposed to have a talk prepared because we never know who's speaking, even if it's you, until President Willes calls the speakers at the opening of sacrament. I did not have a talk prepared to be completely honest, but I gave one, and it was great. I have found that giving talks in sacrament and teaching strangers (which I've been doing quite often) have been enormous in strengthening my social skills. I can stand at the podium for a good ten minutes without my legs turning into jelly now. That night, however, we were spoken to by Stephen B. Allen at the devotional. How. incredible. Wow. His talk was also about repentance, and it really opened my eyes just to how much the Lord loves us. He loves us imperfect beings so much that He gave us His only begotten son to die for the sinners of the Earth, so those sinners can have a chance to come back to Heaven to dwell with Him. How could I cease a single opportunity to thank God for everything He's blessed me with? How could I not sacrifice a few minutes of study for prayer when He sacrificed His beloved son for sinners? The atonement has become such a huge part of my soul, and I will never stop praising Him and thanking Him for what he's done for me.

The last intake of missionaries have been such a great example to me, what wonderful spirits! They're exactly obedient from what I see. Never late to class or bed and never leave the classrooms earlier than they're supposed to. Excellent representatives of the Lord. 

I know Kala'i and Lehia are off at honokaia right now, and I hope they're safe and having fun! Kala'i and Lehia, continue to be great examples unto the youth and a great help to mom and dad. Hou Lehia, first surf competition! First of many, better be. Both of you, never stop pursuing your passions and striving to increase your talents. More than that, however, use those talents for good and never ever prioritize them over your schooling or priesthood responsibilities. Social and physical growth is important, of course, but not as important as spiritual growth. This might just be me justifying my putting aside workout hour to study but spiritual growth is nonetheless extremely important. You guys can never be too prepared to serve a mission, I promise you that. I like what River told me that 'Io wrote him in a letter a few months ago. "There is no growth in the comfort zone, and there is no comfort in the growth zone." So true. Penina, continue to do well in school and be a helper to mom and dad and your brothers. I'm so glad Fia and Jeremias have you to be an example for them, never stop being you! Tell the Watsons I love them so much, seeing Fia and Jeremias grow up through pictures is difficult but so nice haha. Keep those baby pictures coming. 

Shoot, I can't think of anything else right now. Thanks for all the letters! I'm always overjoyed to know that you guys are alright, so glad! I feel the blessings from you folks trickle into everything I do, thank you guys so much. I am so incredibly grateful and humbled to be here, I know this is where I'm supposed to be at the moment and that the Lord knows us individually. He knows our hearts and our needs and will bless us accordingly, so long as we are diligent in following his commandments. If I think of something else, I'll let you folks know, but this is the basis of what I wanted you folks to know. 

Vosoti au ena vuku ni na noqu vakaviti ca (excuse me for my bad Fijian)

Au via wasea na noqu ivakadinadina .

Au kila ni dina na lotu, kei ni bula na Kalou. 

Au vakadinadinataka ni lomana keda na Kalou.

Kila na gagadre eda na Kalou.

Au lomana na kosipeli oqo, kei au kila na noqu bula sa vakalougatataka baleta na kosipeli. 

Au sega ni rawa ni wawa meu skype kemdou!

Au kila ni kaukauwa ni veivutuni kei na veisorovaki. 

Au lomana na Kalou valevu, kei au vakavinavinakataka ena vuku ni kece era solia au.

I love you guys so much, thank you for everything. 

Au lomani kemudou valevu, moce!

-Elder Ishibashi

-Most of the new intake

-Uuuuugghh

-View from my room yesterday morning! Hot air balloons! (According to Elder Price, he only ever sees them Independence day weekend, so this is super cool)

-More from yesterday morning

-Elder Hunkin was sick yesterday so I was confined to the residence for several hours

-Residence studies

-I got to leave for a little while 

-I left for an interview and on my way back to the residence, I stopped by the classroom to pick up my stuff so I could do language study in the residence lounge. I saw my camera was out of its case, and usually when that happens there are some pretty interesting things on there left so graciously by my district. It was through this picture that I found out that I missed a line of DUCKS strolling through the facility just outside our class building. I was disappointed. 

-Writing this morning feat. Elda Hunkin

-Writing this morning feat. Elda Drokadroka kei Elda Mokani

-More this morning!!

-My companions slander me because I get "overexcited" over giant balloons and animals and weird trees and chick-fil-a

-Still trips me out 

-My eyes have somehow shrunk to half the size here

-Yeet

-How can I be like Captain Moroni in the wars that were told?

-Oh, how lovely was the morning

-Let us all press on in the work of the Lord

-Just got back from a long awaited hair cut 

-Currently

6-24-16 Nothing is impossible to overcome

Bula vinaka noqu matavuvale!

First things first, Happy Father's Day dad!! I love you so much, I can't tell you in words how much I appreciate the countless sacrifices you make regularly for my siblings and I, and for the incredible example of love and charity you are to us. I hope that my success in the field and after and forever can show how grateful I am to have you as a father, love you dad.

Mom, thank you for the scriptures! I've found myself turning to the scriptures crazy often in the last two weeks, and wow. Kala'i and Lehia, READ THE SCRIPTURES. There's some amazing stuff in there (everything in it is amazing but lots and lots of things really hit home).

What an awesome week, as always haha. One awesome thing that happened was the new intake of missionaries in our zone! They're all super super good kids with wananavu spirits. I'm certain already that they'll take great care of the zone when we leave. There's one Elder in our zone, whose name I cannot remember for the life of me, that's serving in Hawaii! Marshallese speaking, so I don't know that he'll ever be around our home area but I thought that was way cool. There's also a missionary in the zone FROM Suva, Fiji! I forget his name, but he's super cool and has a great countenance about him. It's nice to have him!

Thank you so much for the brownies mom! It was actually perfect timing, and I feel like you were inspired to send them to me for more reasons than just my halfway mark (which is crazy to think about), because yesterday was Elder Green's birthday! I didn't break the cake open the night I got it because we had JUST gotten home from an Aloha dinner (Shoyu chicken, rice, mac salad and kalua pig, SO GOOD) and I ate A LOT so I couldn't take the cake. We decided to open it last night for Elder Green's birthday, even though he couldn't eat it because he was sick, but we'll feast on it today! My district says thank you, haha. 

Congratulations to Alohi!! And Sisi!! (I'm sure you guys have heard, she's serving in Tonga) How exciting! Give my aloha to Alohi for me please, I'm seriously so excited for her. This work is incredible. Incredibly humbling, incredibly enlightening, incredibly joyous and INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. Anyways, my time is especially limited today as the schedule has changed and I have a session in about two hours, so I'll use that time to eat breakfast and get ready. 

I love you guys so much, and I see and bask in the blessings from home every single day, as they are marvelous and endless. Elder Hunkin is a wonderful companion and example. My district mates, my brothers, never cease to amaze me with their faith in trial and error. I love them, I love the MTC, but more than anything I love the work. I love trials haha. ONLY good things come out of trials, really, and I thank the Lord every day for mine, for I should treasure them forever. Bear through them, my family, because they're given of God. I know that. 1 Nephi 3:7 "-for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he hath commandeth them."

NOTHING, no matter how difficult it may seem, is impossible to overcome. Through the Lord, and through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, absolutely nothing is impossible. The Lord knows us individually and he knows our needs. I love the quote "When life gets too hard to stand, kneel." It is so true. I don't need to quote my favorite scripture because you all know what it is, but it says that if you trust in God, he shall direct your path. Give yourself to him, and he will give you to the Lord.

Again, I love you guys so much, thanks for all the letters, I'm glad all is well!!
Au lomani kemudou valevu, moce!

Elda Ishibashi

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Thank you so much dad! Same here, I feel the blessings of prayers in my behalf from home SO strongly, and I know I'm receiving them from 'Io in the Philippines as well. I do hold my culture and my aloha spirit extremely dear to me, and I find that it does make it significantly easier to love people with the environment and family I was raised in. I love you dad, thank you so much for everything you and mom has done for me, tell everyone I love them! 

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Mama Tiafala maka'ala na kanaka

Elder Jim, Kiribis mission, left Tuesday

Ai vola i Momani

Early morning session this morning

Candid

6-17-16 "This is, indeed, the place"

Bula bula bula noqu matavuvale wananavu!

Again, what a week!

First things first, happy birthday Fia!! I miss Jeremias and Fia so much, it is crazy to think about how old they'll be when I get home! Also, thank you for sharing Kala'i's testimony, that is an incredible experience. It is sooo important to think about the future, about how these decisions affect our well-being in every which way, especially spiritually. To quote our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, "The decisions we make determine our destiny." 

Okay!! So to start things off, thanks for all the letters! It really makes my day being able to lay in bed every night and read up on how you guys are doing, but of course do not worry at all if you don't have the time to write every day! 

So like I said last week, we have devotionals every Sunday and Tuesday evening. On Sunday, we had the oppurtunity to hear from Mark Lusvardi, excellent talk on faith and diligence. On Tuesday night, we got to hear from Elder Ulisses Soares of the Seventy! Another great talk on faith, obedience, and enduring to the end. He told a story about an investigator in Brazil who liked the missionaries and enjoyed their message. He felt something different with these missionaries, a deep spiritual connection. One day, as he walked through a neighborhood, he saw these two missionaries. He saw them ring the doorbell of a house and run. 

He was heartbroken. That destroyed all hope he had for the church. They must have been lying to him, because true representatives of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, would never do something like that. He refused to take any more lessons or be associated with the church. 

THIS. This is heartbreaking. It shows the importance of EXACT and CONSISTENT obedience. We are representives of our Lord and Savior, He who died on the cross for us. Us, imperfect people, us sinners. His love for us, being a love purer than we can fathom, is something that we MUST exude CONSTANTLY. I cannot stress that enough. I'm not even in the field yet, but I cannot and will not let anything like that happen. This is the Lord's work and should be done in such a manner that Jesus himself would. 

So yeah great testimony builder for me personally. Excellent, just an excellent talk. I'm SO glad I get to go to the temple every week, it's such a nice refresher. The temple is incredible, as are the sessions I get to take part in every P day. I love it, and I'm so thankful. 

Elder James (the one we met in the temple from Maui, we got our endowments in the same session) left the MTC Tuesday morning. I only got to see him a few times before he left, but every time was awesome. So full of love and so respectful, he'll make a wonderful misionary.

Changes in the District! Elder Green (Elda Drakodrako) was called as DL about a week into the MTC. On Wednesday, Elder Hunkin was called to be the DL, and Elders Morgani, Drakodrako, and Tiafala were called as Zone Leaders! It's all reallty exciting. OH I forgot to share, goodness gracious!
Apparently, the MTC had Elder Renlund the week before I entered. You guys got him the week after.

??????how is that fair????????? The Lord has a sense of humor for sure.

Speaking of humor and my cleverness, I picthed something to the district boys and they loved it.
MIGHT (impressive power, strength, or diligence.) 
Morgan, Ishibashi, Green, Hunkin, Tiafala. Oh, they tripped. I think of it as a reminder that we are to be mighty in everything we do, in the name of the Lord Almighty. 

Anyways I'll close now, this computer isn't letting me send pictures so I'll do that later. I love you guys so much, thank you guys for everything. 

Au lomani kemudou walevu, noqu matavuvale wananavu.
until next week, 

moce!

-Poly zone

-Elder Vagai (Samoa mission), Tiafala, and Green

-And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night. And I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men. D&C 24:12

-Zone 14

-Zone 14

-Just now.

6-10-16 2nd letter home from the MTC!

Bula vinaka family!! I'm so sorry but I'm going to have to keep this a little on the short side, as my time is limited, but WHAT A WEEK.

My lessons with our first investigator, Kalivati (Brother Ladoux, friend of Herb's) went pretty well if I do say so myself. I only cried after my first lesson, only went uphill from there. I also did run into someone that also knew Herbert! We were on a temple walk (where we just walk around the temple grounds and hang out there for a little bit on Sundays) and this guy walks but in a sulu and sandles yelling "Heyy! Any Fiji missionaries??" My district stopped and represented, I asked if he knew Elder Ishibashi and he's like "Yeah! (reads my badge) Hey!! I commented on your call opening video!! Wananavu!" Small world ay? I love my district, such strong spirits, Elder Hunkin is honestly such an inspiration to me. He's really obedient and faithful, such a good teacher, boy am I blessed. I can't send pictures right now for some reason, I will sometime today though!! I'm so blessed guys, I'm doing just incredible. To close, and you can have Herb interpret it, au via wasea na noqu ivakadinadina (also, sorry Herb if the translation is a little rough. Nah I'm not)
Au kila ni bula na Kalou, ka lomana keda na Kalou.​​ Au kila ni dina na lotu, ka na dina na kosipeli. Au vakadinadinataka ni kila keda gagadre na Kalou. Au vakadinadinataka ni dina na ivola i Momani, ka Porofita dina o Josefa Simici. Au vakavinakataka na noqu matavuvale, noqu matavuvale wananavu!

I'm out of time, I'll add a little more and post pictures later, I'm doing great! Thank you guys for everything. 

Au lomani kemudou valevu, noqu matavuvale ka itokani wananavu.

Yadra, and moce,

Elda Ishibashi

--------------------------------

[The following is a 2nd email tha we received from Elder Ishibashi on his preparation day]

I have some time! Devotionals are Sundays and Tuesday nights. Sunday night, we had Sheri Dew! Excellent talk, excellent speaker. 

Tuesday night, we had Elder David A. Bednar!! Let me tell you, noqu matavuvale! What. An. Experience. BECAUSE, he didn't just talk. I'm not entirely certain I'm allowed to talk about it, I don't know why I wouldn't be able to but yeah, (it was so sacred) he actually wrote a song. He noticed the few times in the Book of Mormon it says "one by one", and every one of those scriptures are super strong, so he wrote lyrics about it and had a pianist compose music for it. I was in the choir that performed that song publicly for the first time ever. I got shivers TYPING that, guys. It was incredible to say the least. The song will be published in the New Era next month I believe, entitled "One by one". The Spirit of the song and the message of the song brought me to tears. Incredible. Just incredible. 

The language, as you might be able to see from my testimony, has improved a lot since last week. Though still crazy broken, my Fijian is waking up. Elder Tiafala is being really patient with me, as we've come to the lab on splits and he finished his writing like ten minutes ago. I honestly love these guys, men I've known for not much longer than a week, but now we are brothers. 

I thank God every single morning, multiple times a day, and every single night for this opportunity to serve. I pray for all of your safety and well being in every single prayer. I love you all so much, as I've said before, more than I can express in words. For everything you've done for me, everything you've helped me to become, two years away is the absolute least I can do to show my appreciation to both you folks and the Lord. Know I'm happy, know I love my district like brothers and my zone like family. My studies are going really well. 

Au vakavinavinakataka no noqu matavuvale wananavu valevu. 

If I have one request, it's to write through DearElder.com throughout the week. I wanna hear from you guys!

I love you guys so much, I'm gonna let Elder Tiafala eat lunch now I guess. You guys are the best, moce!!!

-From this morning while emailing you folks

-Kihe

-District boys (Viti lima)

-Most of the zone boys

-Sun in the face=no eyes

-I LOVE this one. We them viti boys

-Temple

-Let your light so shine forth

-I've already lost it

-Vinaka!!

-Elders Hunkin, Tiafala, and Tuikolovatu (ZL) going for temple walk

-Elder Howard (Elder Timberlake, Cali ASL mission)

-Zone sisters (Sister John, Fiji, Sister??, Marshall Islands, Sister Paku, Marshall Islands, Sisters Nawaya and Otea, Fiji, Sister Lee, Kiribus)

-Brother Maliwaukee (in the sulu), commented on my letter opening!

-Elder Wolfgramme, related to our wolfgrammes somehow 

-Card, key and vial

-Brother LaDoux feat. Sista Johni

-Vinaka!!

-Vinaka valevu! I love them!

This man is a crack up! (Elder Green from Australia). His slangs are the best. His Australian vocabulary consists of these:

Bubbler (pronounced Buh-blah)- Drinking fountain
Torch (pronounced Toh-ch)- Flashlight
Ear buds (pronounced Ee-buds)-Ear swabs 

Cantina- Cafeteria

Bin- Trash can (that one was pretty easy)

And many more, and I love it. 

-Such talent. Such grace.

-Feat. Elda Tiafala

ALSO on another note, MOM. THEY ALL SING. Like really well. I'm so, so, sooo happy. It's so refreshing honestly hahaha.