It's Official Elder Nihipali Reports to the MTC!!!

Dec 31 (New Years Eve) - The big day has arrived. Elder Tyrell Keliimauloa Nihipali reported to the MTC with 350 other missionaries reporting today as well. Today at 12:05 pm, Elder Nihipali checked in to the Missionary Training Center and received his official Missionary name tag and he begins his missionary service today.

While taking his luggage he saw Elder Ross Salanoa on his way to wash clothes. And he met up with Elder Michael Heffernan reporting an hour before. It was an awesome sight to see Brothers and Sisters ready to serve the Lord.

Elder Nihipali met other first time missionaries from Aiea, and also Pukalani, Maui; We want to thank the Bergau family, the Hanohano's, the Ika's, the Abrahams, the Taula's and the Au's in Utah for coming to the MTC and visiting with Elder Nihipali before walking down the aisle of the Wilford Woodruff Building.

Night At the Ika's House

December 30 - Tuesday

One more day before Elder Nihipali goes into the MTC; Staying at Comfort Inn & Suites is the best thing we did. Staying close by to the stores and places we need to get to was the best thing ever.

Our first chore today was to deliver some goodies at BYU Provo Campus with Kamaile's OIT (Office of Information Technology) Office Staff; Then we headed over to the Missionary Training Center, We'll take more pictures at the MTC tomorrow Dec 31st. We visited with Robert Anae at his home and did some "talking story" about football and the flood;

Lastly, we had dinner at the Ika Home in Provo. We spent time with kids (Tevita, Spencer, Makeili, and Sepi) and also our friends Paula and Lupe. They are doing fine in Utah. There other daughter Feli is in Hawaii at BYU-Hawaii Campus preparing for the girls basketball season.

Sunday in Salt Lake City

Sunday Dec 28, 2008 - This is the day after we landed in Utah; It was 32 degrees in Salt Lake City, Tyrell and I are standing at the Liberty 4th Ward Chapel which is a block away from where we are staying at the Raddison Hotel downtown Salt Lake City; The snow on the ground was from Friday evening; They had 10 inches of snow before we came. Dad was eager to take our pictures with the snow on the christmas tree where he says you only see on a christmas card.

Update on the Missionary

Review the comments on the Missionary Checklist posting; A few of the supplies that he needs have been purchased and items on his list of supplies needed have been removed; The time is getting near for him to leave and we want to thank everyone for their support.