Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor was the attraction and news of the week. We serviced up the USS Missouri. Do you know how HUGE that ship is?? 300 yards long and TALL!!! Man oh man. It was so HUGE. But we helped set up for the 65th anniversary celebration for the end of WW 2! I took lots and lots of pictures. We toured the ship, which was awesome. But didn't tour the Arizona. I could see it, and see the top of the ship, but that was it. I got a picture of it. Next time maybe? I was surprised to hear President Dalton set it up, and we'll go every 8 weeks. President Peterson was against us going at anytime until the end of our mission. It was awesome though and very reverencing to know I was in the place of heroes and legends.

That story my mother sent me on Captain Bennion of the USS West Virginia is the cousin of President Eyring. (Elder Travis' mom here: The story is found in "Saints At War." He's the captain in the movie "Pearl Harbor" who is depicted with Cuba Gooding as he still ran his ship as he lay dying. It's a fascinating story.) We talked to the tour manager, he is setting up the tour for the First Presidency of the church. I'm so excited to see them when they come.

Next week when I email I'll have transfer results...yup that's right, 6 weeks is over this week and we'll know who goes and who stays. I'm interested to see this one cuz, anything could happen. Hawaii Kai, which we don’t do anything in, is getting missionaries to focus on that area this transfer. I kinda half think I might go into it....that'll be interesting. But we taught a lot this week and saw a lot of great things happen, and more to come. No real solid progressing yet, but things are moving :)

Baptism

"Our baptism went really well. It was super spiritual. The *** were very well prepared for it. It was hilarious cuz Bro. *** joked that he'd have to be baptized 3 times cuz of all of the things he's done...well guess what...he went under THREE times!! It was hilarious haha. But really good, the spirit was strong there!!!"
Elder Travis' mom - These are all pictures that were on Elder Travis' memory card he just sent home. Above - notice how steep that road is!
It seems everywhere you look you see the ocean in this new area!
I think this is a fun picture of them shouting for joy!

They hiked up Diamond Head on P Day and this is one of many stunning pictures he took. The work is certainly moving forward and Elder Travis is loving it.

Kahala

EDIT: These pictures are probably all of his last area since I don't think he took any after the transfer on this memory card. Below is an email that I cut and pasted from Elder Travis.

Aloha!!

Man things are going so great in Kahala. We are seeing so many great things happening. We found 3 new people to teach, and the ward is so awesome and missionary minded. I miss Kailua, but I love Kahala. A lot of great members (some of which should have added me by now).

We have a baptism coming up next Saturday on the 21st of August. It's for Bro. And Sis. ***. They are so ready for this gospel and only investigated for a month! But they know its true. They have been to 4 different churches. They have concluded that this church is the true church. It's incredible to see these things.In fact, the whole mission is changing. Not just the mission, but missionary service worldwide. It's insane. The Brethren are really focusing on teaching on the spirit and are putting something out to enhance Preach My Gospel. It's meant to have us ask inspired questions, get people talking, and let them learn more. It does sound inspired, but I don't know much about it. All the Zone Leaders and District Leaders were trained on it so I don't know too much about it. But we'll be trained on it soon. So that'll be interesting.

I heard we will be cleaning a ship in Pearl Harbor this week or next week. I'm so excited for that!!!! I will take LOTS of pictures. I think its the USS Memorial one but I'm not sure. That might happen this week or next. So I'm way excited for that!!

My companion Elder Garritson, is awesome, he is a hard worker and teaches by the spirit. He is far ahead for a 6 week Elder and really teaches well. I feel blessed to be his companion and I'm learning a lot from him. I hope I'm doing the same for him.

I hit my 8 month mark today. I'm 1/3 of the way through my service. It's amazing to think how fast my time has gone by. It's incredible...It's so fast. Christmas is around the corner, and so is "hump" day. After that it's all downhill.

Well, things are great. Interesting too. I'm so proud to be a missionary, and know with my heart and soul this is God's church. I love teaching people about the gospel and love sharing it. I am so humbled to put that tag on my chest everyday.

All Is Well

I'm in Kahala. In the Honolulu zone. Believe it or not I cover President Dalton's ward and a deaf group, the only deaf group on O'ahu. It's interesting but I love it here. It's the RICH part of O'ahu though so people think they are more well off....people think they have all they need. But we do have people we are teaching. It is awesome, cuz they are really progressing. 3 kids I taught in Kailua were baptized yesterday, so that was exciting to hear about. This area is great. We have three progressing to baptism.

It's beautiful here...ocean is amazing!

I'm with Elder Garritson from South Jordan Utah, he is 6 weeks out. (Note from Elder Travis' mom - Elder Garritson is not pictured in either of these pictures). I'm his step-dad, which is interesting (Note from Elder Travis' mom - someone needs to give me a dictionary on speaking Elder! I don't know what being his "step-dad" means!). I'm 8 months out, and for the first time a senior companion...it feels weird haha cuz I feel like I'm only out 2 months. He was trained by Elder Major's trainer who just went home. I sure do love my comp. He's awesome! A hard worker too!

Time sure does fly by. But we are sure having fun out here and we love serving the Lord. I make sure to take every advantage I can to do His work.


I'll be sending home a big tiki next time I transfer haha, that is if I fly. The Tongans carved me one, which is awesome haha. It's pretty sweet! But ya, I'll have to send Patch possibly, he takes up a lot of space. we'll see haha.

I forgot to mention the temple rededication will happen by President...MONSON!! I'm so excited cuz he'll probably speak to us, and if I'm in Presidents ward still (which I'm sure I will be) I might even meet him!! Which would be amazing. I'm sure I'm in President Dalton's ward for a reason though.

EDIT: I added parts of a letter to this email and clarify some things that Elder Travis had written.