Week 8

It's been a good week here in the Philippines!

Yes, the steak was good, but not like home. But the work was pretty good, just continuing to find and invite. We don't have a lot of return appointments but there's plenty of people to talk to. The area is pretty big and I haven't really worked in a whole section of it. We're helping to try and reactivate some members so hopefully that will work out. Definitely not a lack of work to do. Elder Santillian is nice. He likes to play basketball so that's cool. Definitely a little trunky, I mean I can only imagine, it's his last area. But we got work to do so hopefully he can help. Yes, there's 4 of us in the apartment, they're the same that were with me last transfer. Definitely a party. One of the most traumatizing experiences happened this week. We were heading out to work but Elder Santillian needed to use the bathroom, so we stopped at a Jollibee (a fast food place). I sit on a bench to wait for him and right as he walks in this giant Jollibee mascot that's almost 7 feet tall scuffles over out of nowhere. Man, he looks at me, kind of leans over with his big creepy head and gives a wave. You gotta remember, being white here means everyone stares at you, and now this giant red bee mascot is putting on a show. Probably the most uncomfortable thing ever. So I wave back then he proceeds to shuffle on over closer to shake my hand. So I shake it, just smiling away as if I was fine. Then he sits next to me and puts his arm around me for crying out loud. Keep in mind Elder Santillian is in the bathroom during all this so it's just me out here waiting for him. He turns his big fake head towards me and gives me a high five. I just wait there smiling until he gets up. He finally does and takes some pics with the kids then as mysteriously as he came he was gone. Then elder Santillian comes out and we go on our way. That was pretty funny and I probably won't ever go there again haha. Anyways, I hope all is well for all of you. The church is true. I love and miss you all
Elder Banister 2

Week 7

Hi from the Philippines

Sorry I forgot to tell you, because transfers are this week p-day was pushed back. I'm staying in my area but my follow up trainer will be elder Santillian, I'll meet him tomorrow. This will be his last area, so we'll see how it goes. Anyways, it's been a good week. We were able to find some new people to teach and meet some more kids. It was crazy, there was like 20 of them and they were all dancing around and messing with me while my companion was talking to a street contact. It's super fun, I can't wait until I can talk to them all in Tagalog though. Line upon line. In our ward it's a lot of English, which is good and bad, because it doesn't help me learn faster, but it's nice to know what they're saying. I broke down and bought some steak for our last meal as a companionship. it's marinating as I type. I also bought this little rack and some charcoal so I can grill it. Old habits die hard, I'll send some pictures next week. Hope things are good for you all. A cool scripture I found in study is Mosiah 20:11 at the end when it says "like dragons did they fight". I'll send pics next week, Mahal ko kayo lahat.

Elder Banister 2

Week 6

Hello from the Philippines

Dang it's hot. I'll probably be super tan or have skin cancer by the time I get back. Joke lang, I'm doing fine so far. Still haven't gotten sick yet, even though the other three elders in my apartment have a nasty cough. They say it's because I was raised on potatoes, that's why I haven't gotten sick. Whatever the reason I'm fine with it. This week was pretty good, we had a mission wide conference to discuss the new mission changes starting in July. Praying for Mindoro/Cavite mission, but I know the Lord will put me where I need to be. The kids that we're teaching we taught about prayer, and how to pray. That was pretty fun. I usually give them some of the bubble gum you sent, but after I run out then I'll probably hand out some stickers. A couple "Jeepnee" stories for you this week. One was when I was sitting by the passenger in the front and he was watching a movie. I glance again and of course he's watching Venom. Dang, that was a little trial. And I've learned not to complain about the steering wheel in the yellow truck because some of these Jeepnies you have to turn literally half a turn before it starts to go. Then finally on the way here I saw a creative way to add coolant. The driver pulls out his coolant when we're in traffic and dumps it into his home-made funnel leading to the radiator. That was pretty funny. Anyways, Tagalog is getting there I guess. People say I'm doing a good job but I really can't tell if they're just saying that. But I'm sure it'll get there with time. Hope everything is good at home. All is good for me. I added some pictures of the zone. I love you all and hope you're all doing as well as I am

Elder Banister 2

P.S. The pancakes remind me of home

I don't need these things, but if you want to send them when I do need something..... I was wishing I had my Mister Bottle, the Orange waterproof box from grandma, this shoe glue I never used, and maybe another knife or two... and a couple pound bags of beef jerky. I don't need this stuff like I said, but if you ever do send one, Those are some things I could use. Thanks mom, Love you so much. Hope all is good at home. Sometimes I think about how things will be when I get back and it gets me excited to see you all gain. Hopefully it doesn't seem too slow, I'm sure it's not very fast though. But, Logan will be back before you know it and then I'll be right behind him. Hope Preston is good, and Dallin too. Tell Dallin that I was on the C team too, and it wayyy more fun because it's really relaxed. Hope Tayla is excited for young womens, I thought of her when the change was made. Tell dad that I say hi haha. Hope he's still getting through the days. Those windows should be nice though. Anyways, Love you so much

Elder Banister 2

Kolby's cooking adventures

Kolby built a box oven over Christmas and tried it out!!

This is a picture of his kitchen area and a Proud mom moment-he made pancakes!!!

Week 5

Hi Mom
It's been a good week. 2 hour church was weird, but I liked it of course. We were able to have some of our investigators come and that was cool. We taught some kids this week: Kevin, JR, Jan-Jan, Krika, and Rosalin. It was pretty fun to teach them. They live by the creek in houses smaller than a bedroom but they're all happy people. I kind of wish we could go live there to see what it's like, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let us. But it's alright. I got your packages too, Elder Canaya was super happy. We get along great, I've been lucky so far in the mission with Companions. I ate the "Wunder Bar" that dad sent and wish I had more haha. Tell Tayla thanks for all her bracelets too. I'll have to save all the Christmas stuff for next year though. I don't know what to say about the food, it's pretty good. Lots of rice for sure. I ate chicken feet for the first time this week, that was new. There's also this soup stuff that's basically vinegar and lime juice too that I drink at this place we like to eat. It's super gross and I just chug it fast so I can get it over with. It's cool that you get to speak in stake conference, I'm sure you'll give an amazing talk. I don't know what to say about gathering Israel. Just that it's happening now and it's something everyone can be a part of. Hopefully you can see the pictures now, if not then I'll have to put them on a different drive and you can just log into that drive. We went biking today as a district and it was fun to bike again. Hopefully everything at home is good, I miss and love you all. 

Elder Banister 2