Chicago Week 14

 Another week gone in a flash! 

   This week has been great, we had a lot going on. This week our friend Stephen will be baptized! He has been prepared by the Lord to accept the Gospel at this time, and I'm grateful to have been able to witness it! 

   Another one of our friends, Kevin, made it to church this past Sunday! It was one of the coolest things ever. I will have to send a picture next week. He is someone who we found through Facebook, and just with the couple weeks we have taught him, we have seen the effects of the Atonement in his life. 

   We also met someone named Angie, who on a trip to Utah was so impressed with the people, she reached out to us. The members in Utah even sent her a Book of Mormon! We are grateful for the example and small acts to share the Gospel by the members. It really does make a difference, often one that takes a lot of faith, because they don't get to see the fruits of their labors very often.

   Thank you all for the support! The weeks are flying over here! 

   -Elder Banister 

Chicago Week 13

 Well what a week! 

   So I met my new companion, his name is Elder Randall from Enterprise, Utah. It has been an awesome first week with him. Some crazy busy days. Here are some of the highlights 

   1 - We went to one of our friends house. Nobody was answering the door. As we were standing there, a car pulls up. It is our friends mom and an insanely drunk man. We say hi to his mom, and then the man, who we learn is Victor, comes to talk to us. First thing he does is ask us "hey, do you guys want to smoke some weed?" then pulls a little ziploc baggie out of his pocket. Well, we said no, for obvious reasons. Also because "not even once" and red ribbon week really sank in as a child. But we talked with him and set up a time to go to his house, so hopefully he is sober then! 

   2 - We had a really good lesson with our friend Stephen, who will be baptized on September 5! He is such a loving and accepting man, and willing to do whatever the Lord asks of him. 

   3 - Elder Randall and another brand new missionary Elder Tingey were left here in our area for a day to work the area this past Friday lol. That was an experience for the both of them! 

   4 - We started a cool poster with the question on top: "Why are you here?" We fill in things throughout the days to help us remember why we are out here. It has been cool to see the reasons and driving forces behind us being here serving. 

But anyways, those were just a few of the things that happened this week. Thank you all for your love and support! Hope everyone has a great week! 

Training Assignment

 

Chicago Week 12

 This week has been a great one! 

   So I don't have much time, but some cool miracles this week! The biggest one would have to be a baptism in the district. A man named Francisco has been taught for about three years now. This past week he called up the Elder Jones and Anderson and said he wants to be baptized that Saturday! So we set up an interview and he was baptized! It amazes me to see things likethis, from the diligence and faith of the Elders and the members. I think 3 Nephi 18:32 is a great example of that resolve to "continue to minister" to others with the hope and faith that it will all work out in the end. 

   Other big news is I am getting a new companion! I will be training a new missionary! This will be the first time, I am nervous and excited. I know the Lord will provide. 

   Elder Banister 

Chicago Week 11

 Hello from Chicago! 

   What an exciting week. We started off with a fantastic exchange from Monday night to Wednesday night. Elder Sloan and I had loads of fun. There wasn't a dull moment that whole 48 hours. 

   We also had a good service project we got to do for our friend Claidia. We pulled weeds and weed whacked. Not to brag, but after years of experience I'd say I know my way around a weed eater. She said the one in her garage was sitting for 2 years because she can't use it anymore and no one could start it. Took me about 3 minutes and I had it purring like a kitten in my hands. 

   Church was awesome, we had Stephen come in person! He is someone we have been teaching for about 2 weeks now. He is an elect man if I ever saw one. We have plans for him to be able to be baptized in September. 

   Other than that, the week has been normal and seemed to go by really fast! Thank you all for your love and support, it means the world. 

   -Elder Banister

Chicago week 10

 Hello from Round Lake! 

   It has been a pretty awesome week! We had a pretty awesome zone conference where we learned a lot about taking 100% responsibility. Changed the way I look at everything. 

   Church has been going well, it was super good for Alex and Ernie learning from Alma 38-42 this week, especially when Alma was teaching his son Corianton about repentance. It is amazing to see and help people learn how the Atonement can be used in their lives to wash away feelings of guilt and help them become clean once again.

   I also can say I am no longer a teenager! It seems like the past 20 years have gone so fast! Thank you to my family for the goodies. They know me so well hahaha. 

   Here are some pictures for you all! I know the work I am involved in is true, and am excited to serve for every second these next 3 months.

   -Elder Banister