Week 38

Hello from the Philippines
     It's been a pretty good week. So in the district we got two new sisters and now 5 of us are from the US and one of the sisters is from Canada. We'll see what happens to my Tagalog this transfer.
     I've been trying to talk to more people this past week, since that's one of the things we report now. For anyone who knows me, I'm sure you can testify to the fact that I'm not much of a talker. But I've been trying to get better, spreading the gospel to more people than before. 
     I got a question from my aunt Kerri, whom I love and miss a lot, asking if there was any special experiences that I've had so far. Well one of them has to do with talking to people, actually. I'll tell the story about the Guanlao family.
     Here we are, walking down the street. This is Elder Freeman and I at the time. So we're walking, just a couple of Joe's out and about. We pass this door that's open and a few paces after we hear a sister trying to speak English to us.This is one thing that is always funny, because we always go and start speaking Tagalog to them. This, we later found out, was Anne. We asked if we could come back, and she said the next day we could. Next thing you know, we baptized her mom and two of her siblings. Now we're still teaching her and she also wants to be baptized. I'm just amazed the series of events that led to their baptism. There were even times where I wanted to drop them, but I'm glad I didn't because they're one of the coolest families I've ever met. It just reminds me of a scripture 3 Nephi 18:32, with the principle taught by the savior in that verse. I won't put it on, but you should all read it.
     Anyways, I hope you're all doing good wherever you are. Just a shout out to all you who saw that big paragraph and that there weren't any pictures then moved on, your loss on a great scripture haha. next week ulit

Elder Banister 

Week 31

Hello from the Philippines!

     It's transfer week already, the time is starting to fly. My companion Elder Freeman finished his mission and will be heading back to the states to do some "finding" at college. I'm glad to have served with him and learned from his example. I'm also excited about m new companion, Elder Kaufusi. I've met him and he's a beast, we're about to make the area explode. 

     This week has been pretty good though, I'm starting to feel the satisfaction of missionary work and it just makes me want to get out there and TEACH. We met President Alder and he is a great man. I know he has been called of God, and also that he knows how to WORK. It the meeting with our zone to meet him, we learned a lot about his family and he focused on Doctrine and Covenants 4. We actually were asked to recite it, and I felt very uncomfortable every time he would look in my direction and I was just moving my mouth mumbling inaudibly. You best believe I memorized it laater that day. He talked a lot about "sharpening out sickle" and it caused me to reflect on things I need to do better and change to be a sharper tool in the hands of the Lord. POWER!!!

     We're still working with the Guanlao family and the Canarias family. They're both super awesome and are going to be a great strength to the ward. The Canarias family has led to a whole pool of new people to teach and hopefully they all follow Christ into the waters of Baptism. 

     The 4th of July was well celebrated in our house though, I sang the National Anthem about 15 times and wore some patriotic colors. We also ate some burgers at this little restaurant and... really that was about it. Not even a single firework which was a sayang, but it'll just be all the better in 2021. 

     Anyways, it's been a huge support to have everyone back home for the support. Even from half way across the world, it's still a huge help. I know that that's the way it is meant to be, to learn and grow and be strengthened by one another in families. I'm so glad that I am sealed to my family with the assurance that whatever happens, as we stay faithful we will be together forever. That we all do our part and stay on the path is my hope and prayer always.

     Sorry no pictures this week. I'll make sure to get some next week for all the scammers that scroll to the bottom and check for pictures. Love and miss you all!

 

  Elder Banister

Week 29,30

And then there was one
    Just Elder Banister from now on, no more Elder Banister 1 and 2 nonsense. My brother came home a week and a half ago and dang, watch out singles ward, there's another RM in town. Boutta break some hearts with that smile and cut some diamonds with that chin line. It's true that everything you give to the Lord He returns in tenfold. I'm amazed and inspired by my brother's example and can see that promise come true. 
     Last Monday we were able to visit Sister Ballener as a district in the hospital. She is super awesome, and she was happy to see us. She's not in any pain any more and started her treatment, so that should help. Thank you all for including her and her family in your prayers. 
     We had some service this past week, which was fun. Just mixing cement and chopping bamboo. We made a path for a sister in the ward to her house because when it rains it's super slippery and she's having another baby soon. Hopefully it's still there, because after we laid it, the rain came again. 
     But things are really cooking in the Philippines, and I got the pictures to prove it. Yesterday we had two of the families we're teaching attend church, which was a huge sign of their progress. The Canarias family and the Guanlao family. They're POWER and I can't wait until they can receive even more blessings through covenants with our Heavenly Father.
     I had an opportunity to go on exchanges last week also, and had a great time finding. We were talking to a lot of people, trying to get into some houses so we could teach, and not really having any luck. We come up on this one house and Elder Ivins says to me before "alright Elder Banister, get us into this house or I'm leaving you" so I was like "BET" . I knock on the gate and yell "Tao po" and a man answers back asking who it was and I'm like "Mga Misyonero po" then like ten seconds later the gate opens! He invites us in! We go in, he's just so happy to see us, it was so cool. He leads us through the door, we're just making small talk, and we go down the hall, make a turn into the living room, and see his Bible and notes already out! Wow, talk about prepared for the missionaries! Definitely not to listen though, but to try and convert us. We then proceeded to hear his long build up of how he used to be a Catholic, but "they only use a few scriptures for their doctrine, you have to read the whole thing to really understand it and get the truth". Then the next two hours were filled with why the Jehovah's Witnesses were right based off of 5 different scriptures. See the Irony? Anyways, long story short, I learned a valuable lesson; The spirit is the one that does the teaching. The whole time he gave his speech, he seemed to be a really intelligent man, and if you don't know what the spirit feels like, I can see how it would be easy to be deceived. But the whole time he ranted on, I didn't feel the spirit testify to me once of his message (obviously). I know it doesn't matter how well written you are or good at the language, the spirit is the one that will testify of the truth. And I know the things I teach as a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ are true, because every time I testify to others I feel the spirit, and I know others have felt it also. 
     Anyways, hopefully everyone is doing good, and I hope everyone who has covenants with the Lord keeps them, and if you're not, REPENT.

And for everyone that opened this and didn't read it, here's some pictures

Week 28

YES PICTURES!!!!

    That's probably what all the people said that open the email, check if there's pictures, then move on if there's not. I'm not judging, I do it too. But This week was pretty good, we're progressing the work. I got to talk with my family, so the Email will be a little shorter. 

    Anyways, we've been really working this week, like we got a work bug or something. I don't know, maybe just realizing a little more our call and responsibility. We've got lot's of people to teach and it's been a good thing to stay busy. I'll make it better next week, but that's about all I got for this week. Just enjoy these cute pictures of the Moreno family and friends!

Elder Banister 2

Week 26,27

Don't worry, I'm still alive, for those of you that noticed I didn't email last week (in other words, my mom). Just not much time last week.

    But here I am again, you can't get rid of me that easy. This week has been good, we've been having some good work to do. The area is getting more familiar, thank goodness, and I'm getting better at remembering names. Just some weak things becoming strong, I guess you could say. 

    It's a funny thing about emailing though, I think once you get through the door to the computer shop there's a veil of forgetfulness; I can't remember a thing from this week. So I guess I'll just ramble on and something might be good.

    We got Three more bap dates set this week, for Waren, Abby, and Kasey. It was our first visit for them, with a less active member Jomar Karomayan there also. We taught them and Jomar treated it not "if" they would become members, but "when". We got them a date, and set the goal with Jomar to become active and worthy again to be the baptizer. I'm super excited for them.

    My favorite family I've taught so far on the mission moved back to their province last week. We were super sad to see them go. The Husband, Echageni Karomayan (Jomar's brother), is super funny. He's a big guy and fights roosters for his living (we didn't get to the commandments yet). I don't know if I told this story, but one of our first few visits he fed us what is called "Bihag" which literally means "captive", but in other words, the chicken that got killed during the fight that the winner gets to keep. So basically Elder Freeman and I eat losers for dinner. He also showed us the knives he puts on the chicken's feet, which are razor sharp. SO COOL. We miss him, and referred him to the other missionaries in his new place.

    We got to teach Elder's Quorum yesterday, which was fun. They let us know after sacrament that we would be teaching, so that was a little exciting. We just wen't over one of our favorite talks "Don't Drop the Ball" by President Gordon B. Hinckley from back in October of 1994. It worked out alright, and some good discussion was had

    I don't usually do this, but I would like to make a request for some prayers if you'd all be so kind. A sister in our district, Sister Ballener, had to go to the hospital because of some progressively worse headaches. They did some tests, and they found a "mass" in the back of her head. They haven't been able to do a biopsy yet, but she will be released as a missionary and treated according to the findings. Please just keep her and her family in your prayers, it would mean a lot. 

    I would like to testify, though, that I know that God does have a plan for us. Our eyes aren't always able to see it all, but some day we will. Some day we will be able to see the whole picture, in it's beauty and fullness, realizing that everything that happens is for our benefit. He is in the details of our lives. When big things seem to stand in our way, just remember there is One that overcame it all. He, Jesus Christ, will help us through all our trials, even when we don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. He will never forsake us.

    Thank you all for your love and support! 

Elder Banister 2

Week 25

Hello from the Philippines!
This week I got a new favorite Apostle, Elder Dale G. Renlund. I even got to shake his hand!!! We were able to have him all to ourselves here in the Quezon City Mission back on Thursday. We were asked to prepare ourselves spiritually the two weeks leading up to the visit, studying two talks they assigned us and continually praying in our hearts. I went in there prepared to receive revelation and be taught by the spirit, and that's exactly what happened. The words he spoke felt like they were directed right towards me, even though there was a lot of us there listening. The spirit was so strong. I know that Elder Dale G. Renlund is an Apostle of the Lord. The spirit has testified that to me. I know he is called of God. I am grateful for the gift of personal revelation, and know as we come to the Lord having prepared ourselves in humility with sincere questions, we will receive answers.

This week is transfer week, and I found out that for the first time, I'll be with the same companion for more than one transfer!!! But it's limited to two transfers, because this will be his last transfer in the mission... but still! I'm relieved, because I don't know if I could lead this area yet. Should be a good last transfer for Elder Freeman, we're going to work hard. I always call him Trunkatron and it makes him want to work even harder, it's great.

That was the week, super excited for this next one. Thank you all for your prayers and support! It helps me every day. 

Week 20

Hello from the Philippines, there's mountains here after all. I'm in a new area called Teresa in the Morong zone. The area is awesome and it's nice to have some new scenery. My new companion is Elder Freeman from Washington. I haven't taken many pictures yet, but maybe next week. Yesterday was a good day for missionary work. I had the opportunity to pass the sacrament and exercise the Aaronic Priesthood. That was awesome. We had 5 people we're teaching come to church too, so things are already going good in this area. Hopefully I can help it more. After regular church services, we had a special sacrament service in Ondoy where they're hoping to establish a branch. That's the main place we've worked so far. I'll send more next week, there's a lot to say and not much time on P-day. Highlight of the week was probably when we went to teach a "family" and it was the Moreno family, but about 15 people were there, most all girls. Oh man, I'm glad they were so eager to learn about the Book of Mormon. (can you feel the sarcasm?) That was pretty funny. Hopefully they remember what we taught. But that's about what happened this week, I'm sure I'll remember a lot more I wanted to say after I log off. I appreciate the prayers and thoughts and really do feel the support from home. Love you all

Elder Banister 2

Our hangouts chat:

everything here is good, the area is cool, lots of mountains and trees

Cool! Is there a lot of members?

yeah, maybe like 10, then we have a special service in this other area that's kind of far

What is your companions name? How do you travel?

Elder Freeman, and we mostly ride tricicles here

Is he American? How long out?

Yes, from washington, he has 3 months left

Ok, hopefully he's not too trunky! Logan is 🙂

We just got home tonight from Utah. LONG trip to Michigan but it was cool seeing everything again. 

What's a tricicle? a three wheeled motorcycle thing?

Yeah, a motorcycle with a side cart thing, they're pretty fun

What is your living area like? A small apartment? Are you near water at all?

hopefully Logan is alright haha

yeah, it's pretty small, we live right around this pasture with some cows in it

Ooh cows! I can't wait to see some photos. Any strange animal or bug sightings?

Hello?

If you can't write right now it's fine, I understand. I love you so much and hope you have a good week adjusting to your new area and companion. Happy Easter too!! We didn't do anything special because we were driving but we will have a dinner tomorrow. You look good from the second I got to see you!! I will stay on a little bit longer ok? Love you!!!

sorry, I was taking a survey thing and these computers are really slow

BUT I'm still here haha

That's ok! I thought you left me because I'm asking lots of MOM questions! 

Oh and i watched that video about the mom. It made me cry. Thanks alot.

Haha, have you ever seen that one before?

Yes, a long time ago but I had forgotten it. 

What are your days like? finding people? serving people?

We have a lot of people to teach in this area so it's pretty nice

Oh good! They don't all tell you to go away??? Is there other languages too? 

mostly just Tagalog. And if anything they just tell us next time

Are you having a good week? I know it's been hard lately, but hope you are feeling good. We send a lot of prayers your way!!

yeah, I'm doing fine, kind of a weird feeling

Yes, we have it too. Like, something is missing and things aren't the same and we still have to keep living life. It will be strange for dad to go to work tomorrow but I think it will help us all to get back to "normal" I honestly don't think I've ever cried as much as I have this past week. 😞

yeah, kinda thought about going home, but then I was like that would be even worse haha

True, coming home might have made it worse. You are in the right place at the right time. It has been cool that it was Easter week and I kept seeing all of these messages about Christ everytime I was on the computer. I sang the song Peace in Christ at Grandma's funeral and the words are soooooo true. Oh and even great grandma came to the funeral! And all of my family came too which was awesome. I will send you pictures when i get a chance. I will send you the words to that song too.

yeah, we have the song, it's alright

and there's some senior missionaries from twin falls here, so that's kind of cool

Dad sang O Divine Redeemer and it was like an angel singing. I bawled my eyes out. What are their names? How cool!!

wait, the song is awesome and true, it's just alright that you don't send the words haha

and they're the Fernies

Oh, I thought you meant the song was just alright. Ha!

What do the senior missionaries do? do you see them a lot?

they're in the new ward actually, 2 sets of them

they mostly help out president Koster

I would love to be a senior missionary some day and spoil the elders. 

Wait, I already do that!!

yeah, they're pretty awesome, 

Do you eat the same kinds of things? Do you make your own food? Are there places around to eat out?

yeah, it's all mostly the same food wise, which is fine

more bugs?

not so bad, more ants in the new apartment though

Just like home! Ants are invading our bathroom downstairs 🙂

looks like it's time to remodel

YES! I predict when you get home we will have a new bathroom down there! I hope.....

haha, we'll see

Favorite thing you've read this week? 

we listened to a lot of talks this week, I'll send some next week

conference talks?

yeah, old ones

Kolby I am glad I got to "talk" to you but I'm so tired. Is there anything else you want to say? I love you soooooo much!!!

Love you too, hope everything back home is good. Maybe next week the computers will be better haha. 

Tell dad I say hi

Ok I will, and yes I hope to see your cute face!!!!!!

haha okay

Kolby • Sun, 10:42 PM