Monthly Archives: December 2013

Hey guys, I don’t really have enough time for a long blog post again dang it! Our time on preparation day is limited to 40 minutes on the email system – and I have to write a detailed email to my mission president which takes some time. Then I try to get an email off to my parents and by then I only have about 15 minutes or less to write a blog post and respond to other emails from friends and family.  So be patient with me if I don’t respond right away to an email – I still love to get them and read about all the activities you are involved with!

I really miss all of you guys, but i’m doing well. On New Year’s Eve I have to be in the apartment by 6 p.m. We are going to order fried pig leg from a nearby restaurant and have a snack attack. It’ll be a good time I think!  That’s cool about the Seahawks wrapping up the #1 seed in the NFC! Go HAWKS!!!

HEY…one Christmas down, one to go before I come home! Hunter and I were emailing and it is crazy to think that we are almost at the 1/4 mark of our missions. Time feels like it is flying by! I’m enjoying it a lot, and I really like my area of Lucena. I know I’m here because the Lord wants and needs me to be.

Well, like I said, I don’t have much time, but I loved, loved, loved getting to talk to my parents and Hunter last week! I want to tell everyone back home that I love them and appreciate them being so supportive of us and understanding of the sacrifice that others make to be on missions by supporting the missionaries in our home ward and area.

I have been missing Hunter a lot lately. It is getting more difficult to know that he’s literally from Olympia to Portland away from me. Oh well, at least I know where he is and that he is happy and for the most part healthy.

I love you all!

Elder Tyler Burbidge

MERRY CHRISTMAS from LUCENA!!! I didn’t get transfered! I was so worried that I might be transferred! I love the people here so much and I’m excited for the several investigators that we have!

Being on a mission during Christmas is tough, but not as bad as I thought it would be! I’m feeling love from the members, fellow misisonaries, and the mission home! By the way, I broke the record for mail: biggest box in the San Pablo mission history so THANK YOU mom and dad.

Elder Burbidge and his companion share in some Christmas merriment!

The weeks are starting to feel like days! It is crazy that I’ve already been here for so long, right??

As the Christmas season hits with full force, don’t forget the reason why we celebrate! Jesus Christ is really the “reason for the season”. He has done and continues to do so much for us, I can’t express my gratitude. I’ve been studying some Christlike attributes and emphasized on patience. I’ve seen so many changes in my life and I know that i’m a happier person because of what I studied. Have a great Christmas this week! I love you all!

Elder Tyler Burbidge

Good afternoon from Lucena! I can’t believe that it is December already!! It feels like time is really starting to tick faster! This week was pretty good! I’m feeling more involved in the work every day and I’m starting to really get into the lessons that we teach. I’m starting to understand more and more of what people say, which is pretty dang cool. Speaking the language is a different story. Just when I feel that I’m doing pretty well, I get humbled. I guess that is how we learn though, di ba? I’m excited this upcoming week and I’m excited for the Christmas season to get more exciting.

Out doing the work of a missionary!

It sure doesn’t feel like Christmas here! Sure there are lights, christmas songs, and other christmas things going on, but it is still hotter than hot! It’s ok though! I love the Christmas season. It makes us realize what we are really grateful for and the reason why we are here on earth! It puts a lot of things into perspective and helps us to find peace, or start looking for it if we don’t have it. I’m excited to teach people about why we have Christmas and the ways that we can improve our lives. I miss you all so much!

The lush greenery of the Philippines! Christmas near the equator!

With Christmas right around the corner I am missing everyone a lot, but I’m having fun! The days are really starting to fly by! The Ward Christmas Party here is on the 21st of December which is only two days after transfer day, so who knows what will happen! I hope I get to stay here in Lucena, but on the other hand it’d be nice to have a change of pace.  I was disappointed to hear that the T-Birds lost in the State Championship game!  At least they got to play in the Tacoma Dome. That’s something I’ll never forget all the rest of my life!

My favorite food right now is little dried fish. You eat the whole thing, yes even the head. I got to ride on a rail trolley last night for the first time. One of the cooler experiences of my life. It was wayyy fun.

It’s not all about eating little fish heads!

Like I said, I miss all of you and I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Tyler Burbidge

It has been another week here in the Lucena Third Ward! It seems like time is really starting to fly by! It was a little bit of a rough week, not much success, but things are picking up. HAPPY THANKSGIVING BY THE WAY!!!! how was your turkey??? My ham and rice was really great! Anyhow, I’m thankful for all of you and the examples you are to me. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be here. I can’t think of any place that I’d rather be, honestly. Heck, it is difficult, but I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. I love being here and feeling like I’m doing something worthwhile. It is so great.

The other day, I was walking down the street and I had to duck under a metal sign that was conveniently placed in the middle of the sidewalk. I took a few steps and heard a loud BANG! My companion pulled a “Hunter” as I like to call it, wasn’t paying attention to where he was going and smacked his face on this metal sign. I died laughing. He wasn’t hurt and I got a nice laugh out of it.

I’m excited to keep progressing. aren’t you? I miss all of you! Be thankful for who you are! Look for places where you can improve and make the changes necessary to become the best person you can possibly be in this life. It is all about the amount of effort that you put in to pursue your goals. I love all of you!

Elder Tyler Burbidge