Week 34

Hello from the Philippines
     A lot happened this week, let's give a recap

   Elder Kaufusi had his birthday, the sisters surprised him with some gifts because they're so awesome and we had one of the best meals so far in the mission, marinated chicken and real MASHED POTATOES
   We did some service planting corn as a district
   We had a ministering activity with the ward and I think it was pretty successful
   We went on a bike ride this morning and a lot of things broke, even my handlebars, so that was fun
     That was about it I guess, not too much. But I got some good pictures, so that's a plus. Something that really helped me this week was actually this thing called companionship inventory. It's basically where you help you companion to grow and improve. We actually call it a "Do Batter, Be Better" moment now, from President Russell M. Nelsons talk in this past Priesthood session (Elder Kaufusi's idea). But usually it's not that productive, just kind of passed over. This past time though, I don't know why, but it seemed like some spiritual bricks fell on me, bricks to use and strengthen some things. But yeah, even without someone actually there saying things out loud, there's always a companion that can help strengthen you; the Holy Ghost. Even a personal inventory with real intent to get better can be strengthening. I think as we do this, we will really press down on the accelerator on our journey to reach our potential. And that's the week. Thank you all for your love and support! Here's some pics to make up for the weeks I didn't send any.
Elder Banister

Week 33

It's been a good week!

     So this past week we had three of the people we're teaching get interviewed to be baptized and everything went well, they're all well prepared. But yesterday, they didn't come to church because they didn't have any water, so they couldn't shower, and Elder Kaufusi and I were like "alright Satan, funny joke" and so now we're moving it to August 3. But they're still super excited and so are we. 

     We also did a little exploring past this mysterious hanging bridge for the first time, and it turns out there's more than just three houses over there. There's actually a ton of people up and throughout the mountain, and a main road heading down that actually pops out near the church. Talk about potential! I'm not even mad that we got soaked on the way back, it was worth it.

     Church was interesting yesterday. So there's six missionaries in our ward, the whole district. And some how, the discussion in Sunday school got wayyy off topic. First it kind of branched out into revelation, then it got turned into some examples of the new changes in the church, which is all good stuff. Then it got onto the topic of mission presidents "receiving revelation" for a time period that returning missionaries should get married within. That's when me and Elder Kaufusi looked at each other and were like, "huh, that's interesting, we were just reading this manual and it quoted from the actual Mission President Handbook saying mission presidents should 100% NOT do that" (we didn't say it all out loud, but that's what the look we gave each other said). So I was like "Elder, get up and say that," so he did and it was so funny because they were all like "ahhh, okay" and you could see the false doctrine and stupidity leave the room haha. Now that's the reaction you get from teaching correct principles with power and authority. 

     But anyways, I appreciate all the support from all you guys. It really means a lot and is another motivation to do my best. I hope everyone is doing good and staying true. Also sorry, no new pictures, I'll be better next week. Sorry to all the phonies that scroll to the bottom looking for pictures.

     Elder Banister

Week 32

Hello everyone

     It's been a pretty good and crazy week, there's a lot of things that happened this week. The main thing is I got my new companion, Elder Kaufusi. My mom wants 3 words to describe him, and I would have to say, beastly, strong, and biggerthanme. He's from Utah, but is full Tongan. It's gonna be a fun transfer, I'm excited. My ukulele skills have already gotten better since he's been here. 

     Yesterday we had a good time in church, especially in the special service in Ondoy. As we were finishing, a storm hit and turned the streets into muddy soup. It was actually kind of fun in the rain. I learned that water proof shoes are counter productive when they fill up with water dripping from your pants. 

     This week I really dove in to Alma chapter 32, you know, the one with the seed comparison. I've learned a lot more from it as I take the time to really study and ponder than I have any other time reading it. It's super helpful to slow down and really ponder things. That's one thing I struggle with, is I see all these things that I want to know and I don't know where to start. But just slowing down and really trying to understand even just one verse or chapter or principle at a time has really helped me. Plus the quality of the learning is wayyy better than just rushing through it all. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon kind of deal. 

     Anyways, hope everyone is good and doing what they're supposed to. Thank you all for the love and support!

Elder Banister

Week 31

Hello from the Philippines!

     It's transfer week already, the time is starting to fly. My companion Elder Freeman finished his mission and will be heading back to the states to do some "finding" at college. I'm glad to have served with him and learned from his example. I'm also excited about m new companion, Elder Kaufusi. I've met him and he's a beast, we're about to make the area explode. 

     This week has been pretty good though, I'm starting to feel the satisfaction of missionary work and it just makes me want to get out there and TEACH. We met President Alder and he is a great man. I know he has been called of God, and also that he knows how to WORK. It the meeting with our zone to meet him, we learned a lot about his family and he focused on Doctrine and Covenants 4. We actually were asked to recite it, and I felt very uncomfortable every time he would look in my direction and I was just moving my mouth mumbling inaudibly. You best believe I memorized it laater that day. He talked a lot about "sharpening out sickle" and it caused me to reflect on things I need to do better and change to be a sharper tool in the hands of the Lord. POWER!!!

     We're still working with the Guanlao family and the Canarias family. They're both super awesome and are going to be a great strength to the ward. The Canarias family has led to a whole pool of new people to teach and hopefully they all follow Christ into the waters of Baptism. 

     The 4th of July was well celebrated in our house though, I sang the National Anthem about 15 times and wore some patriotic colors. We also ate some burgers at this little restaurant and... really that was about it. Not even a single firework which was a sayang, but it'll just be all the better in 2021. 

     Anyways, it's been a huge support to have everyone back home for the support. Even from half way across the world, it's still a huge help. I know that that's the way it is meant to be, to learn and grow and be strengthened by one another in families. I'm so glad that I am sealed to my family with the assurance that whatever happens, as we stay faithful we will be together forever. That we all do our part and stay on the path is my hope and prayer always.

     Sorry no pictures this week. I'll make sure to get some next week for all the scammers that scroll to the bottom and check for pictures. Love and miss you all!

 

  Elder Banister

Week 29,30

And then there was one
    Just Elder Banister from now on, no more Elder Banister 1 and 2 nonsense. My brother came home a week and a half ago and dang, watch out singles ward, there's another RM in town. Boutta break some hearts with that smile and cut some diamonds with that chin line. It's true that everything you give to the Lord He returns in tenfold. I'm amazed and inspired by my brother's example and can see that promise come true. 
     Last Monday we were able to visit Sister Ballener as a district in the hospital. She is super awesome, and she was happy to see us. She's not in any pain any more and started her treatment, so that should help. Thank you all for including her and her family in your prayers. 
     We had some service this past week, which was fun. Just mixing cement and chopping bamboo. We made a path for a sister in the ward to her house because when it rains it's super slippery and she's having another baby soon. Hopefully it's still there, because after we laid it, the rain came again. 
     But things are really cooking in the Philippines, and I got the pictures to prove it. Yesterday we had two of the families we're teaching attend church, which was a huge sign of their progress. The Canarias family and the Guanlao family. They're POWER and I can't wait until they can receive even more blessings through covenants with our Heavenly Father.
     I had an opportunity to go on exchanges last week also, and had a great time finding. We were talking to a lot of people, trying to get into some houses so we could teach, and not really having any luck. We come up on this one house and Elder Ivins says to me before "alright Elder Banister, get us into this house or I'm leaving you" so I was like "BET" . I knock on the gate and yell "Tao po" and a man answers back asking who it was and I'm like "Mga Misyonero po" then like ten seconds later the gate opens! He invites us in! We go in, he's just so happy to see us, it was so cool. He leads us through the door, we're just making small talk, and we go down the hall, make a turn into the living room, and see his Bible and notes already out! Wow, talk about prepared for the missionaries! Definitely not to listen though, but to try and convert us. We then proceeded to hear his long build up of how he used to be a Catholic, but "they only use a few scriptures for their doctrine, you have to read the whole thing to really understand it and get the truth". Then the next two hours were filled with why the Jehovah's Witnesses were right based off of 5 different scriptures. See the Irony? Anyways, long story short, I learned a valuable lesson; The spirit is the one that does the teaching. The whole time he gave his speech, he seemed to be a really intelligent man, and if you don't know what the spirit feels like, I can see how it would be easy to be deceived. But the whole time he ranted on, I didn't feel the spirit testify to me once of his message (obviously). I know it doesn't matter how well written you are or good at the language, the spirit is the one that will testify of the truth. And I know the things I teach as a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ are true, because every time I testify to others I feel the spirit, and I know others have felt it also. 
     Anyways, hopefully everyone is doing good, and I hope everyone who has covenants with the Lord keeps them, and if you're not, REPENT.

And for everyone that opened this and didn't read it, here's some pictures