I'm probably going to end up living in Kiribati my whole life



Mauri Everyone!!! Hows it going? The first week is down and it doesn't feel real. It was definitely an experience... We all are assigned to a floor when we get here and that's where our residence is. Our floor consists of all the missionaries that are going to their mission to the Pacific Islands. About half the missionaries that are going to the Islands are FROM the islands which makes it that much cooler. It is never a dull day when you can wake up to the Tongans and Samoans singing in the shower haha. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met. We had a pull up bar that's hooked to the wall outside our room, so one day our whole floor had a pull up competition. Not to brag... but I did win. All the Tongan's now call me Buff Boy, so whenever I see them throughout the day they are like "AYYY buff boy!". It's pretty funny. OH YEAH. During the week, we also ran into a missionary who is from Kiribati. For those of you who know my friend Harry Alappat, they are literally the same person. My companion and I sat down with him at lunch and tried to talk to him in Kiribati and it went pretty good. Finally, he goes "man can we just talk in English" haha. It was the funniest thing. He spoke fluent English.

The language is still super tough and I saw how it was getting to everyone this week. We have about 6 hours of language class each week, and when we aren't in language class, we are trying to talk to each other in the language. With everyone stressing about now being good enough and freaking out that they would never learn it, it was becoming a pretty big obstacle. We had a meeting with our Branch President just the other day and we brought up this concern that we all had. He paused for a second and then gave us some pretty great advice. He said "it is time for you elders to realize what your true priorities are as a missionary. You are here to spread the happiness of the gospel to God's children in Kiribati. The language will always come second". It was a good change in perspective. 

During my scripture study this last week, I came across a scripture that brought me great comfort. It is actually the scripture that was on my Dad's mission plaque (I think thats how its spelled) when he served his mission. It is Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 and it goes..

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up"

E kokoaua bwa e Tangiram Iesu Kristo. I testy that Jesus Christ loves you. He knows each and every one of you and the struggles you are facing. I testify that if you take the time to reach out to him in prayer, he will provide you with the answers and peace you need. I love you all as well, and I appreciate all the emails, letters, and packages I receive. Have a Great week and I'll see you soon! Tiabo!

PS: There is a sister in my district that looks JUST like Moana and it is the coolest thing!

1. My roommates (Elder Hoggan and two missionaries who are going to Fiji, Elder Hadley and Elder Christenson)
2. Guess where we are going!
3. Kiribati flag at the MTC
4. Elder Hoggan and I and the Kiribati missionary (apparently everyone at the islands sticks out their tongue and does this)
5. The Kiribati missionary rocking his "normal outfit". He said we will all get one when we get there haha
6. Our language teacher, who served his mission in Kiribati, showed us some pictures from his mission. He said that on your P day you just get a fishing line, a huge hook, a dead fish.. and yes... you catch sharks! DINNER







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