Week 42

Surprise! It's an early P-Day! Just kidding, we just had to use it to go to the Temple today. It was awesome! We got to go with the ward and the Guanlao family. I was even able to be the one to confirm Arlene and Colleen after their proxy baptisms! It was a super awesome experience. 

     I don't have much to say since Monday... the temple trip was definitely the highlight though. Just a heads up for anyone who reads this thing, I won't be emailing until Tuesday October 1st, so don't worry when you don't get it. For everyone that looks for pictures then moves on, it's your lucky day; I got pictures.

     Just to leave with some scripture, I really like something I read this past week in Alma 36:11-21. It's a power section in the Book of Mormon for sure, about the Joy we can receive through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. That's something that I've been trying to magnify these past few days, is focus on the Joy. There's a talk that goes well with it by President Russell M. Nelson titled "Joy and Spiritual Surviving" from October 2016 Sunday Morning Session. Yeah, I was very specific, so there should be no excuses why you didn't read it. These are a few things that can help us all in our lives as we apply the principles taught in them. Read it. Apply it. Feel the Joy. Just three steps, don't be lazy. Anyways, I appreciate all the support from everyone. I hope everyone can more fully feel the joy that is in Jesus Christ.

     Elder Banister

Week 11

Dang there's been some big changes to the family communication!!!! Pretty crazy.

It's been a good week! Today was the highlight though, we got to go to the temple!!! Pretty awesome. I also bought The Saints book for 60 pesos, plus some other things to study, so that was nice.

One of our investigators that we go see every Friday, his name is brother Marcos and also his son Mark, they always have deeep questions. So it turns out that we moved a little fast and they just were piled with a lot of stuff and didn't get very good roots or understanding of the basics. But we work with it now and we always try and answer their questions as best we can. Something to learn from this experience for sure; start with the basics, they shouldn't be asking about Kolob yet. They're super awesome though, brother Marcos already read the whole Book of Mormon. They will be strong members when they are baptized. It's nice because they help show me what I need to work on.

 Something I studied this week was in 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. There's a lot of good things about being ministers of God. Then in D&C 121:34-46 about priesthood power. Some food for the SOUL right there. Everyone who holds the Priesthood should study and ponder these two sections of scriptures. Being worthy for it's power and to enter the Temple should be a priority in everyone's life. Study that then President Nelson's talk from back in April 2016 "The Price of Priesthood Power" and dang, what a spiritual FEAST.

I can't think of anything too cool or funny or nasty that happened this week... just trying to do all I can. There's a lottt of people that haven't received the gospel yet, so there's a lottt of work to do. Plus the last days are at and, so we gotta HASTEN THIS WORK. Get that sense of urgency burning within. The church is true and we have a Prophet and Apostles on the earth To-Day. I know that if we follow their teachings and the gospel of Jesus Christ we will receive MANY blessings not only in this life but throughout our eternal progression. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Enjoy the cold to all those back home!

Elder Banister 2

(I also cooked adobo)

MTC Christmas and temple photos