Week 18

We were able to help Jerome enter the waters of Baptism this week and help him make his first covenant with our Heavenly Father. It was a refreshing reminder to see the happiness the gospel brings and helped me remember why I'm here. I'm not going to lie, it was a little testing this week. Some homesickness, the planting of seeds, Tagalog, the humidity/summer increasing... but it's nothing a verse in the Book of Mormon can't fix. Dang, I love personal revelation. Moroni 9:6 was the answer to my prayers this week. Some back story first.... Way back when in the MTC, I started my "Patience Book of Mormon". Basically the idea of it as explained by Elder Bednar is to read the Book of Mormon cover to cover with a concern or topic in your mind, marking everything that applies. Then by the time you're done reading, you're an expert on that topic. So I did that with patience, because that's something that I really struggled with. This past week, I was able to finish it, and that's when I found the answer that I needed. #BlEsSed. I'm now restarting and focusing on Charity as described in Moroni 7:45. I can't wait to see what I learn from it this time through.

I know that personal revelation is a real thing and a blessing from God. We can receive divine help from our Heavenly Father specifically for us. Hopefully we all take advantage of this and are always worthy, in tune with the spirit, and ready to receive what we need. The church is true and I know it. If you don't know that, don't just take my word for it, find out for yourselves. And, if you do know, help others find their way. Love and miss you all. Thank you all for your prayers!

Elder Banister 2

(I'll get some pictures of Jerome next week, I don't have them yet)

Week 17

We got a bap date! This weekend Jerome will be baptized and make his first covenant with our Heavenly Father. The blessings for him are about to start flowing. We had an awesome FHE with stake Patriarch Abril and his family and Jerome was able to come with us. He had an awesome time and I think that it helped to show that we're still people too as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

We kind of had a brick wall week, as in the people really just kicked us from one house to the other. Not gonna lie, it's getting a little old trying to express how important the things we have to offer them are and the second they see us it's an instant "okey lang kami" or "ah, pasensia, catholico kami". But it's all good, it's not a problem for us, we'll find the people we need to teach sooner or later.

We had a district activity today though and saw some awesome views of the city. I also got a beautiful burn on my neck, but it's nothing a little aloe vera won't fix. 

We also saw the cat lady twice this week in our area, so looks like I'm not so safe from her after all. She gave us these random flyers each time, one for welders and one for donations to a catholic church. No kittens though.

Hopefully everyone is doing well, I'm praying for you every day. Stay strong and remember that Christ has our backs when we keep our covenants and use His Atonement. And when Christ has our back, the devil himself can't knock us down. Love and miss you all

Elder Banister 2