Week 12

Hello everyone
It's been a good week in the Philippines, getting some things DONE. The city is "tough" for "some missionaries". Yeah, whatever, "some missionaries" can try working a little harder then, see if that helps. We found a super nice young man named Jerome this past week who's mom was baptized back in 2014. He couldn't be taught because it was only sisters back then and him and his mom were never there at the same time. But now, he's just DYING to jump into the baptismal font. We set a date for March 30 because we can only teach him on the weekends, but he's super excited. His mom apparently after being baptized was never taught about temples and temple work and so we told her that we can do baptisms in behalf of the dead. She got excited at that because she said that her Father never had the chance to be baptized, but now she knows that he too can receive the joy of the Gospel. 

I started reading the Saints book this past week and there's so much good stuff in there. If anyone wants to know some actual accurate history about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, read this book. 

That's about all I can think to tell. Transfer day is coming up this next week, but I'm most likely staying here again because Elder Santillian is going home. Anyways, hope everything is good back home. if you want something good to read, try the Saints. If you feel a little prideful, try Mosiah 4:10. I love you all, and thank you all for the support and prayers.

Also thank you for the "need a laugh" letter, I finally opened it this past week and it made my day. Yeah, basically I got the most pissed I've been in the mission this past week. I've never wanted to hit something more in my life, oh my gosh. But it was all good, my self control is STRONG. Just had to wait it out and let the spirit work it out. Maybe I'll tell the whole story when my companion leaves, haha. But Thank you so much for the packages!!! I'll be waiting for them

Elder Banister#2

Week 11

Dang there's been some big changes to the family communication!!!! Pretty crazy.

It's been a good week! Today was the highlight though, we got to go to the temple!!! Pretty awesome. I also bought The Saints book for 60 pesos, plus some other things to study, so that was nice.

One of our investigators that we go see every Friday, his name is brother Marcos and also his son Mark, they always have deeep questions. So it turns out that we moved a little fast and they just were piled with a lot of stuff and didn't get very good roots or understanding of the basics. But we work with it now and we always try and answer their questions as best we can. Something to learn from this experience for sure; start with the basics, they shouldn't be asking about Kolob yet. They're super awesome though, brother Marcos already read the whole Book of Mormon. They will be strong members when they are baptized. It's nice because they help show me what I need to work on.

 Something I studied this week was in 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. There's a lot of good things about being ministers of God. Then in D&C 121:34-46 about priesthood power. Some food for the SOUL right there. Everyone who holds the Priesthood should study and ponder these two sections of scriptures. Being worthy for it's power and to enter the Temple should be a priority in everyone's life. Study that then President Nelson's talk from back in April 2016 "The Price of Priesthood Power" and dang, what a spiritual FEAST.

I can't think of anything too cool or funny or nasty that happened this week... just trying to do all I can. There's a lottt of people that haven't received the gospel yet, so there's a lottt of work to do. Plus the last days are at and, so we gotta HASTEN THIS WORK. Get that sense of urgency burning within. The church is true and we have a Prophet and Apostles on the earth To-Day. I know that if we follow their teachings and the gospel of Jesus Christ we will receive MANY blessings not only in this life but throughout our eternal progression. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Enjoy the cold to all those back home!

Elder Banister 2

(I also cooked adobo)

Week 10

My favorite picture so far was taken this week. FEAST YOUR EYES.

Hello from the Philippines!
This week has been good, I feel good and the heat is being slowly cranked up. We had interviews and trainer trainee meeting this week. Good stuff, I learned a lot. We've been focusing a lot on less active members trying to help them receive more blessings from remaining faithful. We keep pressing forward though.  Another "wonderful" cleaning opportunity arose this week. More like 3 weeks in the making. Do you all know what happens when you leave your extra rice in the pot on the counter for a couple days? Not much, smells a bit, that's about it. But 3 WEEKS will make a world of difference. The smell was getting bad about 1 week in, so I covered the little hole in the lid. Problem solved! But a couple weeks in, there was more problems. There was a moldy rainbow, flies all over trapped inside, little maggots crawling around inside... yeah, that's what happens after 3 weeks of sitting on the counter. So glad I know that. That was definitely something I needed to know for my salvation. And the SMELL when I took off that lid. WOW ! ! ! ! ! Truly blessed to have had this opportunity. And of course the rice didn't just fall out, I had to scrape through the smell, the maggots, and mold, with a spoon, biting my tongue so I wouldn't start murmuring. Anyways, there's a few lessons to learn. One is that if there's a problem or sin in our life it's much easier to take care of it now before it grows into a bigger and more disgusting burden in the future. Another thing that I kind of already knew but was reaffirmed was that when you are a man, you're going to have to do things you don't want to do. Anyways, this week was good. Thank you all for your prayers. I didn't take any pictures of the rice because I didn't want to risk my camera getting ruined. Hope you all have a good week and for those back home, enjoy the cold!
Elder Banister 2

Week 9

We also got to go biking again!

Everything is good in the Philippines 
This week has been pretty good, we've been able to work with bishop to show us where some less active members are. Yeah, turns out I really don't know the area very well haha. It's nice to have the support of the ward. I got some letters this week that made me pretty happy. One of them was from the McMurdie's and the other was from Tom Jenson. That was awesome. 

Some things that made it a good week was yesterday while we were out by the creek side we were talking to some kids. Then one of them said that I look like Batman! I was like "That's Rightttt, Yes I do!" It's funny though, some of the kids call me "daddy" in their Filipino accent so now my nickname is "Daddy Banny". 

Now I have to take some time to Brag about my Mom. So I'm ashamed to show you a picture of the bathroom we used for a whole transfer without cleaning, but it's vital to the bragging time. Most all of the missionaries have ZERO idea how to clean, the poor elders. I decided that since I'm most likely gonna be here for 2 more transfers, I'm gonna start taking care of my house. If I ever find myself not wanting to clean something, I ask myself one of 3 things; 1- do you have anything better to do? 2- what would mom do? or 3- do you want to impress your future wife when you're married? (if 1 and 2 don't work, 3 always does). So basically I manned up and used what my momma taught me to clean that beast. It's sooo much better now.

I'm finally feeling a little sick. It's about time, I was starting to think it would never happen. "it's the beeesssttt, I love it" (Nacho Libre voice). In the words of Elder Uchtdorf, "Trials show us what we are made of". So I guess you could say I'm finding out what I'm made of. Anyways, things are good, I hope everyone is safe. Mahal ko kayo. Here's some pics, don't judge

Before

After some repentance and bleach