This last week has flown by! The MTC is getting better and better, and I’m excited to leave for the Philippines. We got our travel plans yesterday (Friday 13th), and we’ve realized how real this is. I get to fly from Tokyo to Manila on the same flight as my brother, Elder (Tyler) Burbidge). Hopefully that will be a good experience with him before we go our separate ways for the next two years.

Hunter’s MTC District displaying their travel plans.

I’ve been called to be a Zone Leader with my companion Elder Salisbury. It’s been a trial to get things organized and make sure all of the missionaries are situated and having a good, uplifting, time at the MTC. I’ve made some great friends with the callings that I’ve had here and it’s been a great blessing.

I leave for the Philippines in nine days!! I’m getting really excited, but nervous at the same time. I feel like I don’t know enough Tagalog at all, but I’m trying hard! My teachers keep reassuring us that things will work out and the language will come to us eventually. There have been some floods recently in the Philippines so we’ll see how the weather is when we get there. BUT, they do celebrate Christmas for four months or something, so I’ll get there right in the thick of those celebrations.

The food here is getting a little old…but that’s okay. I’m grateful for the support that I have been getting. I’ve been learning a lot of how the Holy Spirit talks to us. Sometimes we just have to act on promptings whether or not we know that they are from the Holy Ghost or not. We’ll find out eventually if we just act.

The view of Lavell Edwards Stadium from the MTC during the BYU vs. Texas football game. BYU won 40-21 over the Longhorns!

I’m happy to be serving our Heavenly Father. I know that families can be together forever. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I encourage everybody to read it. I know that this is the most important work occurring on the earth today. This gospel is a gospel of peace and happiness that can be carried with us through eternity. I love my brother, Jesus Christ. I know that His sacrifice was real, and that through that sacrifice we can be saved.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Love,

-Elder (Hunter) Burbidge