Chicago week 5

 Hello from Chicagooooo!

   Been quite the week, literally felt like the events of an entire month just concentrated into one week, blended up to feel like one day. Doesn't make any sense to me, but all I know is I'm still alive.

   So this week has been a rollercoaster. It started pretty normal, doing the usual missionary work. I have really grown to love the people here in Gurnee the past 3 weeks and love teaching them. But on Friday we got a call. From President Shumway. The ultimate Trisome was going to be torn apart! I was told to pack up, my new companion would pick me up tomorrow. Well, that's not even the worst part of the story. So we made plans to run to the Wisconsin border and back the coming Monday, but this news shattered that idea. So we determined to run it before I left, which seemed like a good idea. Until we found out they would pick me up at 5:45 am! Now, here we had a decision to make. There's a principle in Preach my Gospel that talks about setting goals, and doing everything in our power to accomplish those goals. Sooo... do you see what I'm saying here? I'm saying, we went to Walmart, picked up some $1.00 headlamps, ate some pasta, set an alarm for 2:00am, and ran the 14 miles to the border and back. Call it crazy if you want, but I call it dedication. 

   The same can be applied to our lives. You make covenants with the Lord, and trials will always stand in our way, making it difficult to keep. But the Lord will provide a way. There is always an option to stay faithful, even if it is a "2:00 in the morning" option. 

Make the choice and find the way. You will be strengthened day by day. 

("Drops mic dramatically and walks off stage")

   But anyways, I hope it has been a good week for everyone. I am now enjoying my 3rd area here in the Illinois Chicago Mission with my 4th companion. Living the dream! Thank you all for your love and support! 

   We went to Lake Michigan again also, a little earlier this time, about 4:30 am. Worth it!

   Elder Banister 

Chicago weeks 3-4

 Hello from the Philippines!

    I will now proceed to tell short stories that happened the past few weeks. Disclaimer: may have little spiritual value for some of the stories.

   1. We recieved a request from the ward to contact a new member that moved in. So Elder Jones gave him a call and spoke with him on speaker. And man, this guy couldn't speak it very well. He tried to set up an appointment but had no idea if it worked, and ended the call without knowing. We looked the guy up on Facebook and guess where he is from? I'll give you 2 guesses, and it's not Africa. The Philippines! So we called him right back and smacked him with some mad Tagalog, them boom! Set the appointment up! When we called him, I proceeded to share to him in his native tongue. Super cool experience. 

   2. We went to the Beach! So we have to film clips for this Facebook video and so we were scouting out the scene we wanted to do it at. It was about 9:00 and a storm was rolling in, but we went anyways and got all sandy running in the sand and out to a light house at the end of the dock. Totally worth it. Then on the way back, we got closed in by a gate because apparently it closed at 9. But it was okay because there was a sensor. (Whew)

   3. Elder Jones went on an exchange leaving Elder Sloan and I to work the area. We had another cool experience with a Filipino. The part member family we are teaching, the Woods, know someone from the Philippines! So Sister Woods called her up and she said we can come over! We go and boom, we meet her, her husband, and her 4 kids. I speak to the mom in Tagalog and it blows her mind. They feed us and we get to know them better and even say we can come back. Did someone say miracle? Yeah, you better believe it's a miracle! Super awesome.

   4. At the end of said exchange we were driving back to the apartment and you know what happened? Another miracle! We drive by one of the dumpsters and theres a PIANO for goodness sakes! WHAT? We stop and this thing is in great shape, wayyy better than the one at my house back home. So we grab this poppy and throw it in the Tacoma! We now have a piano in the apartment, just call me Picasso. (I know He was an artist, it's a joke.)

   5. One of my favorite families ever made us tacos for dinner on Sunday. They gave us 3 different kinds of meat, homemade salsa, jalapenos, horchata, and grilled vegetables. Holy cow, talk about a feast. 

   6. I was teaching Gary, someone who will be baptized soon, the other day. It's hard to understand sometimes over the phone, and there was a time when we were talking about his baptism and he said "my Hopes are up" and I heard him way wrong, because I proceeded to ask "Your mom threw up?" Elder Sloan and Elder Jones then simultaneously lost it and died on the floor laughing while I tried to keep it in and stepped outside. It certainly is the little moments like that that make the days easier.

   7. I had my first "I'm not in the Philippines anymore" moment yesterday while meeting with Gerald and Keron for the first time in person. Man, probably one of the most dysfunctional couples ever, the whole time was a blast, and I was constantly being roasted by them haha. Reminded me of the first few weeks in the Philippines. At least I could mostly understand what they were saying though. 

   8. Today we went to this amazing place called Bass pro Shop, it was really cool. Then we got food where you have to eat apparently if you serve here, its called portillo's, it was pretty dang good. Also got a cake shake, which was new and I felt my heart getting clogged, but nothing a little jogging can't fix.

   Well, that is the past few weeks in a nutshell. Every day is a new and wonderful experience. I'm glad to be here and know that Heavenly Father knew long before that this is where I would end up. We have to stay faithful, continue to repent, and trust in Him. ENDURE! Also shout out to my father, Happy Father's Day! Your present is in the back, took me about 2 weeks to do, and cost you a bunch of money, but there you go! Thank you all for your love and support!

   Elder Banister 

Chicago week 2

 Hello from Waukegan!!!

   Never thought that's how I would open an email... but so far so good for the first week in the new area! It's been quite the ride and feels like I've been here forever already, but in a good way. My new companions are Elder Sloan and Elder Jones, they are super awesome and we have had nonstop fun this past week. There's never a dull moment in this companionship.

   The people we are teaching are definitely a lot different than those in the YSA ward. I have really enjoyed teaching and meeting these people.

   Some if those we are teaching are Gary, Keron, Gerald, Brenda, and JeNyiah. They are all on date to be baptized and super awesome.

   I'll share a little about Gary. He's been taught for a while by the missionaries and learned a lot about the Book of Mormon and Restoration. He has been chewing tobacco and smoking cigars for most his life, which has been his biggest trial. He has had cancer in his neck and cheek from it, but still hadn't been able to quit. Then Elder Sloan and Jones taught the Word of Wisdom and started him on this 15 step plan that helps people stop using. He has been clean for 2 weeks now! It's been amazing to see the change and his determination to prepare for baptism. Part of the 15 step program is using grapefruit juice to deal with cravings, and let me tell you, I have never seen a man that can put down as much grapefruit juice as Gary. He'll drink 2 gallons in a day sometimes! It's insane! But we're going to do whatever it takes to keep him clean, even if it means spending all our money on grapefruit juice. 

   With the riots going on, the mission has been extra careful about going out. A Walgreens and Target near our house were actually looted, so that's pretty insane. But we're all safe so far! (Don't worry mom). 

   Another cool thing that I'm learning to enjoy is finding on Facebook! Who would have ever guessed! So basically I go around joining local groups and friending everyone that lives close. If they accept, then we create a group and ask them how they're doing! It's absolutely exhausting, believe it or not. But it's starting to grow on me. I've been using my Tagalog skills to join all the Filipino groups and drop mad Tagalog on them. It's fun. 

   I know I'm where I need to be and that Heavenly Father knew all along that this is where I would end up. It's amazing to witness the Gospel going on even when the world seems to stop. I know it will continue until the work is done. 

   Thank you all for your love and support! Hope you don't get struck down for skipping all this and looking at the pictures!

     Elder Banister

Chicago week 1

 Alright, before you start reading this email, I need you to focus for me. I'm going to take you on a journey. It is a scene in a movie called " Batman: The Dark Knight", in a tunnel with the Joker, holding a rocket launcher in the back of a semi truck. He fires, then suddenly the bat mobile appears, taking the hit and saving Harvey Dent! Little did they know, years after filming, an even bigger spectacle would occur: Elder Banister and his new companion Elder Morrow would be driving through that very tunnel on the way home from Walmart! Who would have thought that such a thing would ever happen?! But anyways...

     I had the craziest dream the other night. I was off to serve my mission in a land far away called the Philippines speaking something called Tag-a-log for two whole years. I got off the plane and was hit with humidity, surrounding me. I did a lot: teaching people, walking up mountains and in rain, eating baby ducks and dog... it was quite a strange dream. But anyways, I'm here serving in the Illinois Chicago Mission and have a short 4.5 months left. I guess crazy dreams and stuff happen to you when you get close to being done. The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. 

     I do hope you'll all forgive me for not emailing sooner (as if anyone reads this far). You all probably know that my mission in the Philippines was cut short due to the growing dangers from COVID-19. But the Lord wasn't finished with me yet, oohhhh no. He hired me for 2 years of hard work and that's what He was going to get. You may all think while I was home I was immediately transformed into a basement troll that watched TV all day and ate a lot of potato chips. Well absolutely not, the clock was still running for me, maybe not as a missionary, but as a "hard working man" I like to say. So I couldn't just sit around, it is now against my nature. So I built some boxes, and a baby shed, and a monster shed, and other miscellaneous nonsense to pass the time. It's a strange thing being home when you didn't expect to be. But I survived, saying goodbye to my family for the second time to finish my two years in Chicago.

     So far it has been a lot better than I expected, which is a good thing because I was expecting pretty bad. We have stayed really busy this past week teaching people and sharing messages with members. We also are getting big into Facebook because we can't really go out knocking doors, sooo... we knock online? Yeah, pretty much, we have a page we monitor and comment and post things, hoping to spark interest in others and bring everyone closer to Christ. I'm not the most tech savvy or really have much care at all for social media, but... I make it work and help how I can haha. That's the best way I can put it. 

     I've been here in the YSA ward the past week, which covers a big part of the mission. I've enjoyed it a lot! But I'm already being transferred, so that was short lived. Fun fact, the rioting was in my area! We saw some of the aftermath, it was... concerning to say the least, but we're told it should pass within the week. 

     I will be with two other Elders in my next area, so that will be a first for me. Should be fun! 

   But enough with the bore you say, let's get on with the pictures. Before that, I just want to say thank you all for your love and support. It means a lot and gives me strength and hope for the coming months. Stay safe and healthy!

     Elder Banister Round 2

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