Week 51

Hello from the Philippines!!! 

     It has been one of the craziest weeks of my mission so far, not even joking. Here are some of the highlights

 1. There was a big fiesta here in Angono with a ton of people, it went on the whole week and the streets were jammed with people selling stuff. It's hard to explain in words, it was insane. I'll try to send a video I took.

 2. We had exchanges this past week. I got to work with Elder Dart in his area. We started out with some finding/tracting in one of the areas they don't go to that often. So we go and talk to a bunch of people, just trying to find someone to teach, the normal grind. Then while we were walking this car drives up and the dude calls out to us "Elders!" so we go and talk to him, and he's a member, his name is Lance. I just assumed that he was in Elder Dart's ward, but it turns out that he lives about 4 hours drive away, he just happened to be there when we were. Then he asks us if we ate, and those words are like music to my ears when someone asks that, because you already know that they're going to try and give you food. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not out here to get fed, but when someone pulls up and asks us if we want to go get lunch after we've been walking all morning, then you best believe that I'll get excited. So we hop in his car and he takes us to this place called Shakey's. It's a pizza place and it's pretty nice, I've only ate there two other times my whole mission. But yeah, basically it was one of the craziest perfect timing stories so far in my mission, I'd definitely call it a tender mercy, borderline miracle.

  3. We got to go to the Temple today!!!(that's why I'm writing so late, to all..... both of you that noticed). So what we did was sleep over as a district so we could get to the shuttle on time, which left at 4:00am this morning. Well, let's just say when you got 8 elders in one house, all hyped up to go to the temple and for p-day..... yeah, thank goodness for mountain dew. But the Temple was amazing and we had a fantastic time.

  4. We had a special visit from Elder Clayton and we learned a lot about teaching with boldness and talking to people. He challenged us as individuals to talk to 10 different people every day and promised that as we do this that we will find more people to teach. That's basically exactly what we need, so we've really been trying it out this week and talking to as many people as we can, inviting them to learn more about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

     Those were some of the highlights of the week, and there's a few more that I'm sure I could add, like the white guy Tom that I talked to for 30 minutes, struggling a little bit to hold a conversation in English about church and the Bible. He was a very interesting man. But I'm still alive and so grateful that I'm out here in the Philippines serving the Lord. This week I've got a lot of pictures, so hopefully there\s some good ones in there! Love you all!

   Elder Banister

Week 50

Hello from the Philippines, Elder Banister is back in the big city. Just a few things about the area I've learned so far: there's three different unlimited wings and rice places here. THREE. And we've already eaten at two of them! Let's just say I think I'm gonna get along just fine over here. My new companion and I, Elder Meredith, get along great. We've been having a good time just going at the work with a willing attitude. Our mission has a goal to have each companionship have a baptism in the month of December, it's called "White Christmas". So that's where we're pushing, and I know it can happen if we give all we have. So if you would please include that in your thoughts and prayers, that we will be guided to those prepared for the month of December, then I know it will be a great help to us and we will see the hand of the Lord even more in our work. So far we've just been searching for scattered Israel and trying to talk to as many people as we can. I know the work is true, and we will find those prepared to accept the Gospel. I'm grateful for you all, and hope you all have a good week!

     Elder Banister

Week 49

Another week in the Work! It's gone by so fast, already transfers again. And I'm being transferred! Definitely wasn't expecting that, I've only been here 1 transfer and Elder Malifier has been here for 3! But I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for His great work and His hand is always guiding His servants. My new companion will be Elder Meredith. We started together alllllll the way back in the Provo MTC. I'm pumped to go work in Taytay with him.

     Meanwhile, my last week here in Tanay has been pretty good, we had a tender mercy this past Sunday; The Caguimbal Family made it to church! They've been taught for almost 5 months now and this is the first time that they came! Their progress this transfer has been tremendous, especially with the father, Jason. He was able to receive a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and then the Word of Wisdom, and now, he is starting to receive confirmation that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. What a privilege it has been to have seen the gospel bless this family. I'm sad to leave them, but I'm glad I had a part in their conversion. 

     The rest can mostly be explained in pictures! I know that Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives. He knows us. He has a perfect love for us. We can always count on Him. Trust in Him and His great Plan of Happiness. Thank you all for your love and support! Until next week!

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Week 48

Been a pretty good week here in the Philippines! Been a blur if I'm being honest, the time has sped up. I don't even know what to say. HmmmMMMMmmmmm............. I guess.............. this might be the worst email so far. But I just want to testify of focusing on joy. It may be one of the hardest things to do, especially in the world we live in today. We can always find a reason to be down, something to complain about, places to doubt. When we choose to focus on those things, we lose. But when we look for things that are going right, choose to be happy, and receive all in a spirit of gratefulness, then I think that our days will be a delight, and less burdensome. It's something I've been trying to do, and I've already seen the positive effects. And of course, as we focus on living the gospel, and experience the joy it gives, then we are living the life that will have the most meaning to us and the most meaning to our Heavenly Father. And those are my thoughts for the week..... Love you all! Thank you all for your love and support!

Sorry no pics, it's a "special" computer. Next week na lang!