Another fun week in the mission. Summer is definitely starting off with a good stride. Stay hydrated everyone, the sun is a killer. And so is the Devil, so John 4:14. Oh snap, take that Satan. I'll never thirst again.
So I met my first actual crazy person at church yesterday. Elder Thompson and Elder Broqueza met her earlier this week and she got a "thing" for Americans. Especially Americans named Elder Thompson apparently. So we have church from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and the next ward is from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Elder Balajadia and I get out of class and are just talking to some members and waiting for a meeting when this sister comes and starts talking to me. I usually don't understand everything people say to me, but with her I could barely understand anything. We had a one sided conversation for a while which was mostly her rambling on and scooting closer to me while I'm just scooting away, nodding, and trying not to laugh. I was catching some words, like she said she met Elder Thompson and something about cats, that's about all I could understand. Thank goodness we had to go to our meeting. I tell her that Elder Thompson will be here soon and go into the meeting. About 5 minutes into the meeting she pokes her head in then struts in rambling on again. We get up and show her out and then she sees Elder Thompson. Poor Elder Thompson.... but better him than me, so we dump her onto them and go back into the meeting. Afterwards we go upstairs because we have someone we're teaching that goes to the second ward and she is STILL talking to Elder Thompson. And it's not good stuff, it's stuff that nobody asked for, cares for, wants to know, or has ANY interest in whatsoever. The best part of it all was when she asked Elder Thompson "Do you like cats?" then she reaches into her bag, does a little digging around, and pulls out a little kitten. A KITTEN. OUT OF HER BAG. Thank goodness there's some Young Single Adults that were there to help get her out of there.
We have had some good lessons with some Less Active members this week. It's hard to try and get them to feel the sense of urgency that they should, especially with the second coming nigh at hand. But I think we're making some progress. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
I found a Jack fruit tree this week and I walked by it every day for the past 3+ months, so that makes me wonder what else I've missed. Guess I'll try opening my eyes more often haha. They're only 100 to 150 pesos here ($2-$3), and even less in the province. Hope everyone is doing good all around, the Savior is always here if you need a helping hand, just take it and don't let go. Dang, another one for the fridge haha. Until next week,
Elder Banister 2
It's been a good week here in the Philippines. Like I always say, there's plenty of people to teach here, but the trick is finding someone that will listen. Not a lot do that, but it's alright. I won't break the Lord's trust in me by giving up from a couple of measly trials. That's not an option. And it shouldn't be for anyone that believes in Christ and the Plan of Salvation. Just give yourself to the Lord so He can make you into the best you can be. He actually has a plan and He knows each and every one of us. It's such a strength in my life as I've come to more deeply understand that and be more converted. And I know it can help everyone who understands it also. Boom, Knowledge.
On another note, one of the lessons we learned in our apartment was pretty cool. It has to do with all these beautiful young women that just seem to be everywhere we turn. We got on the subject just talking at the apartment and it was actually a helpful realization. Here on the mission is a HUGE time of growing and service and it shouldn't be spent day dreaming about sisters. Sure, the mission is a time to prepare for marriage and stuff like that, but it's not to find an eternal companion, haha. So the whole discussion can be summed up with 5 words; BECOME THE MAN SHE DESERVES. Dang, that belongs on a fridge magnet for missionaries. I should really start charging money to read these emails because they are just GOLD. Joke lang, hopefully someone gets something out of these things though.
But I really am teaching over here, not just learning. The Gospel is true and that's what we try and help people learn and live. Right now though, a lot of the focus for us is helping people endure to the end, aka we teach a lot of less active members. Two of them went to church this past week for ward conference and it was a tender mercy because none of our investigators came. I was disappointed, but when I saw them both, it was the Lord saying "it's alright, I know the things you're doing and you are making a difference". That was helpful to me and kind of the "pat on the back" I needed.
Anyways, I know I promised some pictures and stories last week, but it turns out I have a terrible memory and forgot my camera again, so whoops, my bad. Maybe next week I'll remember. Or (in the voice of Nacho Libre) "maybe in the next life". Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.
Elder Banister 2
I met my new companion on Thursday. His name is Elder Balajadia, he's been out in the field for a little over a year. This is his fourth area. He's pretty awesome so far, I think we're going to be doing some WORK this transfer. It's gonna be GREAT.
Our investigators are doing pretty good. Brother Marcos and his son Mark are still being taught. Mark is basically fluent in English and knows a lot about... a lot of different things actually. We want to teach Brother Marcos mostly because he's the one putting in the work to find out the truth. Brother Marcos is putting in the work; he read the Book of Mormon, he's reading it again and the Doctrine and Covenants at the same time, and he's come to church a few times. Mark on the other hand likes to debate and his questions aren't sincere at all. We got a little deeper into the Plan of salvation and the agency before this life to follow Satan or Jesus. He basically tried to get us to say that "Satan's plan was better because then everyone would be saved" and couldn't see how Heavenly Father's plan is perfect. I almost had an Alma 11:23 moment with him, but I kept my cool. The spirit isn't going to force him to believe, but I can't wait for the day when he just get's SMACKED with some spiritual power.
Back to these safety zone videos though!!! I watched this one about electrical safety and realized some SERIOUS protection that I've received. So rewind way back to first transfer on one of the days Elder Canaya was sick. I was just doing some "treasure hunting" in our apartment and was looking through these drawers. And what do you know, I strike GOLD. There was Christmas lights in there!!! So you know, I take it out, untangle it all. There's two strands and they look pretty alright. I plug in the first one and it kind of lights up, then I look near the plug and it's like sizzling. I unplug that bad boy real quick, thank goodness. But you know me, one hint wasn't enough, I still plug in the other one. This time right as I plug it in and my hand is STILL ON IT there's a loud "pop", almost like a firecracker. The wire just basically had a mini explosion and it scared the crap out of me. the wire and the plug were disconnected now and just the plug was in the socket. That little wire couldn't handle the 220 Philippines voltage haha. Yeah, I got the picture now, not gonna mess with any Christmas light any more. Missionaries are protected, I'm glad that the Lord is patient with me when I don't use my common sense. Back to searching through the drawers. The cherry on top is I found an adapter in the same drawer, so yeah, that's when my head finally processed what I had just done hahaha. Dang, it's cool to look back and laugh at how STUPID I was even just a few months ago. I'm glad we have things we learn from every day in this life.
Thank you all for your prayers and goodness. And I forgot my camera, but I'll give a sneak peak for next week. Way back when I had the cleaning test of the bathroom, and was victorious. Well, there's an upstairs too, so there's something to look forward to. Love you all and hope you're doing good!
Elder Banister 2
Hello to everyone where ever you are. I almost ran out of time to write this because of these "safety zone" videos. They kind of suck you in. Kind of reminds me of my relationship with Netflix before leaving to serve. Not very "healthy" I guess you could say. But now it's for the Mission so I'll watch as many as I can.
This week was a bitter sweet end to the transfer. (Dang, I should write poetry with this sappy stuff.) We said goodbye to Elder Santillian yesterday as he was going home. I learned a lot from him and know that he had a good time serving his mission. He'll be missed for sure. On the bright side he was my first kill in the mission, so that's nice. (meaning I was his last companion before he goes home). Boom, the glass is half full.
Out long time investigator Brother Marcos came to church for the second time to see Elder Santillian off, so that was awesome. We continue to teach him every week and he's super awesome. Him and his wife May taught us how to make bilo-bilo the other day. It's my FAVORITE dessert so far here in the Philippines, and now I know how to make it so...... bilo-bilo blessings I guess you could say.
Yesterday and today I've been trying to prepare the apartment for my new companion. LOTS of cleaning. The apartment was a MESS when I got there and that was terrible. The least I can do is make it better for my next companion when he comes. Isn't that what we all should do? Learning from our experiences isn't that hard, but applying it is sometimes more difficult. Anyways, there's some elder Banister wisdom for you all.
The less actives that we are teaching are starting to warm up to us and it's nice. The members play a big role in that too. read 3 Nephi 18:32 to make sure you're helping them out like you should haha.
I hope everyone is doing good and thank you all for your prayers. They aren't being wasted, that is for sure.
Elder Banister 2
