Feast time!

Good to hear everything went smooth on the flight to Oahu. I think you can see the big island a one point if you look to the south on the plane, but you wouldn't fly over it. Sounds like you are having fun. Natalie I got your letter Thursday so that was nice. They have encouraged us to get the "Mormon Messages" DVD for like dinner messages and things, so dad mentioned you were maybe heading up to the north shore tomorrow, I hear the only place to get it in Hawaii is at the BYU-H bookstore, so if it is convenient that might be nice to have. I also wouldn't mind if you sent with it the Doctrine and Covenants reference DVDs with it. They are about $5 and one of the DVDs has the Joseph Smith movie, mountain of the lord etc. Anyway that's just a side note, it can for sure wait until Christmas no need to rush.

Anyway this week was really good. Monday was good to just hang out in Hilo. Then of course we went to sister Fujikawa's house for dinner. I did get asked to give the FHE lesson, and glad she thought it went well.

Tuesday we had District meeting, and then we went on exchange. I brought Elder Copier home with me to Ka'u, and boy did we have a blast.  We get along great, and he just knows to have fun doing whatever. He played Football and Bingham and BYU before coming out, so we talked about that and had a good time, He is also an awesome teacher so our lessons went really good. In the 2 days we were together we taught 6 lessons to investigators, plus a few less actives, so needless to say we had a productive Tuesday and Wednesday.
Naboa's also fed us great like usual which I thought was a great way to end the exchange.

I don't remember a whole lot from Thursday, I know we did lots of tracting, so that was good I guess. Members brought some friends with them and met us for dinner at L&L that night so that was lots of fun. The members are really starting to catch the fire of sending some referrals our way so that makes it fun.

Friday turned into a service day. We planned to help a family clear out their house and board up their windows and stuff, but when we got there, plenty more still needed to be done. It took up most of the day, but we helped them get out and on their way to Texas. It will be sad to see them not in the ward anymore, but I hope things work out for them in Texas. The Moses family (Sister Fujikawa's sister) fed us Friday night and we had a good time with them.

Saturday was a super busy day. It was the 1st of our many Thanksgiving dinners to come this week. The ward had planned a thanksgiving dinner for the ward, so there was lots of preparation for that. I learned how to cook a Turkey in the Portuguese Oven. I felt like I did pretty well. We then shredded it up good for everyone. Not going to claim to be a master chef or anything, but I thought it went good. This week we are going to help some investigators and members dig Imu's for cooking Turkey and Kalua pig so that should be fun.

Church yesterday was good. It was the 1st time I had been asked on the spot to give a talk, but it went good. The spirit definitely provides the way and truely will put words in your mouth in the very moment what to say.  After we visited less actives and recent converts. Dinner at Bishop Oyama's house was a nice way to end the week.

Sounds like things are going good for you 200 miles away. Exciting to hear that Natalie will be home for Christmas. Lucy seems to be doing lots to keep you entertained. I'm having lots of fun on my mission. It doesn't rain too much where we live and serve, but in between Ka'u and HIlo, by Volcano village, I don't think I have ever driven to Hilo and back without it raining there. Hope things continue to go well for everyone wherever you may be. We have Thanksgiving with Sister Fujikawa tonight, then again with the Naboa's Wednesday night. Thursday we are for sure going to the Makuakane's house, and will probably visit a few other families so it should be lots of delicious food for us. :) I have gained about 7 pounds since being in Hawaii and my pants are still pretty loose so it sounds like I have a green light to eat. :) I love you all Thanks for all you do for me. We have a Child of record baptism Saturday, so hopefully that can be used to help get Utah to the title game ha ha. What a story that would be. Can't wait to hear about how all your Thanksgiving festivities go. Love you and Aloha!!
                        Love, Elder Tripp!