Week 35

Well here we are again, another week down and 3 MORE PEOPLE IN THE GATE!!! Arlene, Colleen, and Dhan Guanlao were baptized and confirmed this past week. Elder Freeman and I found them last transfer and it was kind of up and down at times, but I'm glad we stuck with them, because they were willing to repent and enter the waters of baptism. I made mashed potatoes this week, like a huge pot. #IDAHOELDER. Something I studied though was in Acts with the conversion of Saul, who was later called Paul. It is a comfort to know that even in the times of the early day saints, there were still people that didn't accept the gospel, or even believe in Jesus Christ. As a missionary, and as a member in general, it's not our responsibility to force people to believe, because that'll never work. Our responsibility is to share and to invite others to come to Christ, being an example to others and lifting where we stand. We shouldn't get discouraged or give up, because that's what the adversary wants. We have to keep going and growing along the way, no matter the challenges that come. And when we fall, there's always someone there to help us up and dress our wounds; The Savior. Anyways, hope everyone has had a good week, Thank you all for the love and support!
                  
               p.s. I forgot my card reader, so no pictures this week for all you "scRoLl tO ThE botToM foR tHe PicTurEs" people

   With love, Elder Banister

Week 23

Hi everyone, all is good in the Philippines, I said everything I wanted to when I called my mom so it'll be nice and short this week. Bet you're all glad to hear that, huh? Probably just thought to yourself "oh jeez, another email from that one elder in the Philippines". Oh well my bad, sorry to be such a burden, haha. But it's been a good week, we had the baptism of Eduardo this weekend and it was fantastic. It's always such a cool thing to see the gospel change a life. The sisters in our district are really impatient and finished before us, so I have to cut it short. Here's some pictures though of the baptism. Sorry I couldn't put more thought into this, you know those sisters. Anyways, thank you all for your support!

Elder Banister 2

Sister Hill, Sister Wadsworth

PS From Beth: It was so nice to talk to Kolby yesterday!! Almost 2 hours! He likes this area a lot. He said there are hills and it's starting to rain more which he loves. They haven't had water for 3 weeks at their home and have had to haul water from another location for everything! Even for the baptismal font! But he said once it starts raining more he will have water again. He is looking forward to a visit from Elder Renlund later this month. He is just visiting their mission so he's pretty excited to hear from an apostle. He requested more CTR rings in Tagalog and little glow sticks. I sent him some in his last package and he said everyone loves them old and young!! Who knew?? Thanks for your love everyone!! Beth

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 3 bonus e-mail!

Hi mom, Things are still good. Since Yesterday. When we talked. I'll have to try and find a nativity set and get a picture. Like I said Yesterday, I had my first baptism on Saturday! It was awesome and I'm glad that Diana decided to make the decision to be baptized. Other than that the week was pretty normal. Still teaching the people and learning the language. Hope everything is still good there. I haven't had to eat dog yet, actually all the food has been pretty good. I also made my box oven yesterday and hopefully I'll get to try it out soon. Don't miss me too much, just pretend I'm at work, which I really am, just the work of the Lord. Love you all!

Elder Banister 2

Nativity from the Philippines that we saw at a display