Don't worry, I'm still alive, for those of you that noticed I didn't email last week (in other words, my mom). Just not much time last week.
But here I am again, you can't get rid of me that easy. This week has been good, we've been having some good work to do. The area is getting more familiar, thank goodness, and I'm getting better at remembering names. Just some weak things becoming strong, I guess you could say.
It's a funny thing about emailing though, I think once you get through the door to the computer shop there's a veil of forgetfulness; I can't remember a thing from this week. So I guess I'll just ramble on and something might be good.
We got Three more bap dates set this week, for Waren, Abby, and Kasey. It was our first visit for them, with a less active member Jomar Karomayan there also. We taught them and Jomar treated it not "if" they would become members, but "when". We got them a date, and set the goal with Jomar to become active and worthy again to be the baptizer. I'm super excited for them.
My favorite family I've taught so far on the mission moved back to their province last week. We were super sad to see them go. The Husband, Echageni Karomayan (Jomar's brother), is super funny. He's a big guy and fights roosters for his living (we didn't get to the commandments yet). I don't know if I told this story, but one of our first few visits he fed us what is called "Bihag" which literally means "captive", but in other words, the chicken that got killed during the fight that the winner gets to keep. So basically Elder Freeman and I eat losers for dinner. He also showed us the knives he puts on the chicken's feet, which are razor sharp. SO COOL. We miss him, and referred him to the other missionaries in his new place.
We got to teach Elder's Quorum yesterday, which was fun. They let us know after sacrament that we would be teaching, so that was a little exciting. We just wen't over one of our favorite talks "Don't Drop the Ball" by President Gordon B. Hinckley from back in October of 1994. It worked out alright, and some good discussion was had
I don't usually do this, but I would like to make a request for some prayers if you'd all be so kind. A sister in our district, Sister Ballener, had to go to the hospital because of some progressively worse headaches. They did some tests, and they found a "mass" in the back of her head. They haven't been able to do a biopsy yet, but she will be released as a missionary and treated according to the findings. Please just keep her and her family in your prayers, it would mean a lot.
I would like to testify, though, that I know that God does have a plan for us. Our eyes aren't always able to see it all, but some day we will. Some day we will be able to see the whole picture, in it's beauty and fullness, realizing that everything that happens is for our benefit. He is in the details of our lives. When big things seem to stand in our way, just remember there is One that overcame it all. He, Jesus Christ, will help us through all our trials, even when we don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. He will never forsake us.
Thank you all for your love and support!
Elder Banister 2
