Week 20

Hello from the Philippines, there's mountains here after all. I'm in a new area called Teresa in the Morong zone. The area is awesome and it's nice to have some new scenery. My new companion is Elder Freeman from Washington. I haven't taken many pictures yet, but maybe next week. Yesterday was a good day for missionary work. I had the opportunity to pass the sacrament and exercise the Aaronic Priesthood. That was awesome. We had 5 people we're teaching come to church too, so things are already going good in this area. Hopefully I can help it more. After regular church services, we had a special sacrament service in Ondoy where they're hoping to establish a branch. That's the main place we've worked so far. I'll send more next week, there's a lot to say and not much time on P-day. Highlight of the week was probably when we went to teach a "family" and it was the Moreno family, but about 15 people were there, most all girls. Oh man, I'm glad they were so eager to learn about the Book of Mormon. (can you feel the sarcasm?) That was pretty funny. Hopefully they remember what we taught. But that's about what happened this week, I'm sure I'll remember a lot more I wanted to say after I log off. I appreciate the prayers and thoughts and really do feel the support from home. Love you all

Elder Banister 2

Our hangouts chat:

everything here is good, the area is cool, lots of mountains and trees

Cool! Is there a lot of members?

yeah, maybe like 10, then we have a special service in this other area that's kind of far

What is your companions name? How do you travel?

Elder Freeman, and we mostly ride tricicles here

Is he American? How long out?

Yes, from washington, he has 3 months left

Ok, hopefully he's not too trunky! Logan is 🙂

We just got home tonight from Utah. LONG trip to Michigan but it was cool seeing everything again. 

What's a tricicle? a three wheeled motorcycle thing?

Yeah, a motorcycle with a side cart thing, they're pretty fun

What is your living area like? A small apartment? Are you near water at all?

hopefully Logan is alright haha

yeah, it's pretty small, we live right around this pasture with some cows in it

Ooh cows! I can't wait to see some photos. Any strange animal or bug sightings?

Hello?

If you can't write right now it's fine, I understand. I love you so much and hope you have a good week adjusting to your new area and companion. Happy Easter too!! We didn't do anything special because we were driving but we will have a dinner tomorrow. You look good from the second I got to see you!! I will stay on a little bit longer ok? Love you!!!

sorry, I was taking a survey thing and these computers are really slow

BUT I'm still here haha

That's ok! I thought you left me because I'm asking lots of MOM questions! 

Oh and i watched that video about the mom. It made me cry. Thanks alot.

Haha, have you ever seen that one before?

Yes, a long time ago but I had forgotten it. 

What are your days like? finding people? serving people?

We have a lot of people to teach in this area so it's pretty nice

Oh good! They don't all tell you to go away??? Is there other languages too? 

mostly just Tagalog. And if anything they just tell us next time

Are you having a good week? I know it's been hard lately, but hope you are feeling good. We send a lot of prayers your way!!

yeah, I'm doing fine, kind of a weird feeling

Yes, we have it too. Like, something is missing and things aren't the same and we still have to keep living life. It will be strange for dad to go to work tomorrow but I think it will help us all to get back to "normal" I honestly don't think I've ever cried as much as I have this past week. 😞

yeah, kinda thought about going home, but then I was like that would be even worse haha

True, coming home might have made it worse. You are in the right place at the right time. It has been cool that it was Easter week and I kept seeing all of these messages about Christ everytime I was on the computer. I sang the song Peace in Christ at Grandma's funeral and the words are soooooo true. Oh and even great grandma came to the funeral! And all of my family came too which was awesome. I will send you pictures when i get a chance. I will send you the words to that song too.

yeah, we have the song, it's alright

and there's some senior missionaries from twin falls here, so that's kind of cool

Dad sang O Divine Redeemer and it was like an angel singing. I bawled my eyes out. What are their names? How cool!!

wait, the song is awesome and true, it's just alright that you don't send the words haha

and they're the Fernies

Oh, I thought you meant the song was just alright. Ha!

What do the senior missionaries do? do you see them a lot?

they're in the new ward actually, 2 sets of them

they mostly help out president Koster

I would love to be a senior missionary some day and spoil the elders. 

Wait, I already do that!!

yeah, they're pretty awesome, 

Do you eat the same kinds of things? Do you make your own food? Are there places around to eat out?

yeah, it's all mostly the same food wise, which is fine

more bugs?

not so bad, more ants in the new apartment though

Just like home! Ants are invading our bathroom downstairs 🙂

looks like it's time to remodel

YES! I predict when you get home we will have a new bathroom down there! I hope.....

haha, we'll see

Favorite thing you've read this week? 

we listened to a lot of talks this week, I'll send some next week

conference talks?

yeah, old ones

Kolby I am glad I got to "talk" to you but I'm so tired. Is there anything else you want to say? I love you soooooo much!!!

Love you too, hope everything back home is good. Maybe next week the computers will be better haha. 

Tell dad I say hi

Ok I will, and yes I hope to see your cute face!!!!!!

haha okay

Kolby • Sun, 10:42 PM