Back on the Wonderful Big Island

Aloha Family,

Sorry this email is getting out so late. I feel like everything has been crazy crazy since last Sunday. There was so much confusion and craziness. I did still end up in Waimea 1st ward. It is an awesome ward and I am excited to be here. I am emailing late today because this morning we had the opportunity to clean the Kona temple. The temple closes down for 2 weeks after every general conference so they asked us if we could help. I thought it was a great experience. Everyone seemed to remember Elder Whitings talk about the Laie temple. He was the area authority for Hawaii back at the start of my mission before he was called to the 1st quorum last conference. Anyway good to have Mom back in the Islands. Bummer about Utah but at least it was better than last time around. Hope everyone enjoyed conference.

So I'll try to recap everything that went down up to me flying out Wednesday morning. so it was a big surprise not to get transfer plans Sunday night which got the whole mission on edge. Then there was an announcement Monday that big changes were occurring but they would be ready Monday afternoon. At this point I was pretty sure I was still on to go to Kona and I figured President would call me again if things had changed, anyway they didn't come at all Monday. At this point rumors we flying left and right of what was going down. Anyway There was a zone leader meeting Monday night where President didn't even mention it and said transfers would be set Tuesday morning. So I haven't been packing to this point but I was taking extermination precautions. I took everything I had and threw it in the dryer and sprayed down my whole suitcase with Permethrin until it was damp and let it dry.

Eventually Tuesday afternoon the Zone Leaders  called around 3 to give me a confirmation number to fly Kona side. I spent a little of Tuesday saying goodbye to everyone then came home and repeated the process with Permethrin and the dryer. The good news is that so far I haven't noticed any so I assume all is well. Anyway for Dinner our Members took us out to Panda express one last time before I left. I quite enjoyed it. I really enjoyed serving with the Samoans, but I am so grateful to be back on this wonderful Island with the Hawaiian people.

Wednesday morning I got up around 5:30 threw my last few things in my bags and headed off to the Airport we had to go grab another missionary headed to Maui so we got to the Airport at 7 in plenty of time for my 8:20 flight. around 8 i met up with Elder Williams who had just left Kaneohe 2nd. He told me about the package but heard I was going to transfer meeting so he sent it with Elder Garcia. Anyway sounds like Elder Hall is over there now. He is an awesome elder I really like him. He was on Lanai when I was on Molokai. We made it to Kona with very little trouble. We got to the zone leaders pad around 9:40 and we stayed until 10 so I could take my district leader call since service is spotty on the way up to Waimea. It went well and good it turns out that both the district leaders are up in Waimea so I am over the Kona elders. We are 45 minutes out of Kona but it ought to work out great. We have the zone leaders another solid companionship and the sisters as well as Elder Vaikeli and I. I am excited Elder Vaikeli is from West Valley. He went to Hunter High and we figured we probably played little league football together.

Some quick facts about Waimea 1st. It is an Hour North of Kona. We live in Waikaloa Village about 20 min before Waimea. The bulk of our ward lives there as well. it is usually around 85 degrees in Waikaloa and 75 degrees in Waimea during the day. At night the temperature drops to low 60's high 50's. Saturday morning driving to Conference our car thermometer said 56. Kinda chilly for me these days. My Blood had finally thinned out I think. Anyway Bishop Casuga works with Bishop Oyama from Kau so that is cool. My favorite thing about this ward is how missionary minded they all are. We have had lessons in members houses everyday I have been here and they are so solid. Our investigators feel so comfortable around them and it is so easy to teach them I love it!.

So Thursday and Friday We spent taking a mini tour of the area and meeting everyone I am really going to enjoy it here. I just love the style and culture of the Big Island everyone is just so friendly and laid back compared to busy busy crazy Oahu. I feel it is a super blessing to be back here. I don't have an address yet for our apartment because we haven't gotten a letter since I have been here but we ought to get one this week I would assume so I'll have it next week. Glad the package made it home, sorry its nothing to special for you guys just a few things I wanted but didn't want to pack around.

Saturday and Sunday was conference  We had to get up at 5 to get ready and then make the 25 min drive to our chapel for conference at 6 kinda a sacrifice but I enjoy conference  I enjoyed Elder Cooks, Hollands and Packers talks. Elder Holland had given a talk in the MTC January before I left that we have on Dvd that was really to similar but I love it.  Last night we had the Semi Annual Trivia Bowl at Bishops house. Lots of fun my team the "sweet" couch potatods ended up taking care of business and winning. the questions were a good mix of doctrinal and other questions like what color of ties were the men of Motab wearing. Good fun.

Well that's my week I guess. Glad to hear from everyone sounds like everyone has good things going on which is nice to hear. Let me know if I can do anything for you guys I love you all and Aloha!!

Love, Elder Tripp