Home again! For good!

 Kolby returned home on November 11, 2020! He never was able to give a mission report at church but we did a Zoom meeting with the stake high council. We know he will be blessed his entire life for his choice to serve! We're so happy to have him home!!!

Chicago Week 23-Last e-mail!!

 The last email! 

   Wow, I cannot believe that. I have really come to love this area and the people. It has been quite different to serve here, but the same marvelous work. I wouldn't trade the way my mission turned out for anything. I know that Heavenly Father designed things to turn out this way. 

   This past week, I have been asked many times what's the first thing I'm going to do when I get home. I think I am going to get home, and just ponder about what just happened these past two years. Wow. Seriously, what just happened. A section of scripture in the Book of Mormon comes to mind. In Mosiah 2, everyone knows verse 17, about serving others. What comes to mind are verses 21-25. It talks about being unprofitable servants, and how we are all indebted to Him. I can truly testify that it is true. He has given so much more than we can ever repay, and continues to bless us as we serve and keep the commandments. I know the Gospel is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and He is the savior and Redeemer of the world. I love Him and will continue to serve Him. 

   Thank you all for the love and support these past 2 years! I hope to see you all soon! 

   Elder Banister

Chicago Week 22

 I'm still here! 

   Wow, it was a pretty crazy week. I had my departing interview after zone conference, that was probably the highlight. I thought I was ready to go home before that, but now... where's the plane at?! Haha just kidding, but it was really cool. I am so grateful for these past 5 months to serve here in the Illinois Chicago Mission. What a blessing. It has definitely changed the way the rest of my life will go, I know that. 

   I am just so grateful for the goodness of God that I get to see here while serving Him. This past week we saw a lot of His blessings in the work. I am really going to miss being a full time missionary. But the beauty of it is, this is only the beginning. You don't need a tag to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

   We saw the blessings temporally also this week, we got probably $300 of food this past week, not including the delicious meals the members prepared for us. Stephen, my recent convert, moved to Florida and gave us all his frozen food. Then we had a member who gets extra cheese at a deli give us about $70 in CHEESE. I've never been so excited for cheese in my life haha. 

   We also made some tie die shirts as a district and signed them... that is all I'll say about that. 

   This last week is going to be amazing though, we have set some pretty high goals and are excited to hit them! 

   Thank you all for the love and support! Soon I can say that in person! 

   Elder Banister