Week 5

Hi Mom
It's been a good week. 2 hour church was weird, but I liked it of course. We were able to have some of our investigators come and that was cool. We taught some kids this week: Kevin, JR, Jan-Jan, Krika, and Rosalin. It was pretty fun to teach them. They live by the creek in houses smaller than a bedroom but they're all happy people. I kind of wish we could go live there to see what it's like, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let us. But it's alright. I got your packages too, Elder Canaya was super happy. We get along great, I've been lucky so far in the mission with Companions. I ate the "Wunder Bar" that dad sent and wish I had more haha. Tell Tayla thanks for all her bracelets too. I'll have to save all the Christmas stuff for next year though. I don't know what to say about the food, it's pretty good. Lots of rice for sure. I ate chicken feet for the first time this week, that was new. There's also this soup stuff that's basically vinegar and lime juice too that I drink at this place we like to eat. It's super gross and I just chug it fast so I can get it over with. It's cool that you get to speak in stake conference, I'm sure you'll give an amazing talk. I don't know what to say about gathering Israel. Just that it's happening now and it's something everyone can be a part of. Hopefully you can see the pictures now, if not then I'll have to put them on a different drive and you can just log into that drive. We went biking today as a district and it was fun to bike again. Hopefully everything at home is good, I miss and love you all. 

Elder Banister 2

Week 4

Hi mom, Happy new years eve

This week was pretty slow, Elder Canaya was sick a few days so I had lots of time to study. I started reading Jesus the Christ and True to the Faith. I was feeling a little "Food Sick" this week too. I started thinking about the smoked burgers and Brisket we ate at Ryan's house and how GOOD it was. Definitely going to feast when I get home. We went out finding one night and were able to teach some people just outside their doors. One woman we taught about families and the plan of salvation. We left her with a prayer and she broke down while we prayed. That was pretty cool. I'm glad Christmas was good, sounds like the usually craziness when everyone comes to town. Tonight we have to be in by 7 because the new years celebration is so crazy. Apparently we're not going to sleep very well tonight because it'll be so loud. I uploaded a bunch of pictures last week, they're all on the drive. The mosquitoes aren't too bad here in the thick of the city, so that's one benefit. It's been raining a lot the past few days too. We come home with muddy shoes usually. Hopefully everything is good in Boise. I miss you all and think about you a lot.

Elder Banister 2

Week 3

Kolby's trainer Elder Canaya

Hello everyone! Kolby surprised us last night around 9:00 with a video call from Philippines! We knew it would be around Christmastime, but we didn't know when because of the 15 hour time difference. I had already put Hazel to bed, but we woke her up. The other kids were visiting family, so we called them to come home right away. They were able to see about half of his hour long conversation. He has only been in Philippines for a few weeks, so it was fun to talk to him about all the new things he's seen and done! He was at one of the stake presidency counselors homes so we could hear well (the picture would come on and off) and he had earbuds so he could hear us well too.

A few highlights:

His companion is Elder Canaya from Philippines. He speaks excellent English

He was able to attend the Manila temple to do initiatories and it was in English

He has only received one of my three packages (the two I sent in October by boat are in customs so he should get them soon!)

He loves the food, has gained 13 pounds since he left. He said there are many resturants and the McDonalds serves rice with everything. He really misses beef (steak especially). He ordered a hamburger once and it was small and not the same. He said he can get all kinds of ingredients and has stocked their pantry with flour, sugar etc. and requested recipes. They have a fridge and a hotplate to cook on and he bought some supplies to make a box oven. 

He said it's hard not to buy everything because it is so cheap! He did order some nice pants for 7 dollars. 

He told us in detail about eating balut. I recorded this conversation because we all know how much he HATED eggs before he left. I can't believe he ate it, but it just shows how brave he is!!

He played the violin at their zone Christmas party. 

He had his first baptism! A young lady named Diana. 

He didn't seem frustrated about the language, but he is very anxious to speak better and understand more. He said people stare at him all the time and it makes him feel stupid. (I told him it was probably because he's tall and blonde!!!!)

There will be a new mission created on July 1st so depending on where he is serving at the time he will be in Quezon City, Cavite or (the new one) Antipolo. He is hoping for one of the last two because they aren't all in the city like Quezon City will be. (he wants some jungle and adventure!!)

He hasn't seen a lot of spiders, just cockroaches. He described how at night the lights from the jeepney's revealed so many cockroaches all over the road. 

They find people to teach by walking along the homes near a canal. He said the houses are pieced together. 

It doesn't rain everyday, but the times it did rain the streets were flooding with water. 

He mentioned how crazy everyone drives and he wishes he could drive too! He wants to build a sidecar when he gets home and he studies it everytime he rides in one. He loves jeepneys and scooters and has even seen someone get hit (!!!)

I asked if he'd been homesick at all and he said no. (it doesn't surprise me!) He is so good natured and up for adventures so I don't think he has had time to miss home! (He does miss Hazel though, and she loved seeing him and hearing him talk to her.) He did ask about the truck and was reminded he has a motorcycle. He also wanted to know about all the changes Preston did to their room!

He bore his testimony to us in tagalog and it was awesome! I recorded it but Hazel was crying. If you don't mind the crying you can still hear him. I will try to post it on his blog. (quezoncityelderbanister.com) It was so awesome to talk to him and laugh with him. We love hearing about his mission and all his adventures. Thank you for all your support!! He loved all the Christmas cards and letters. 

Love, Beth

Kolby and his mission president: David Koster and his wife.