Week 37

Hello from the Philippines!!!
     So it's transfer week already, but Elder Kaufusi and I are still both here in Teresa, so no changes there. The week has been pretty good though. I'm glad I get to stay here for another transfer. 
     When I say the week was good, I mean that in the sense that every week is good because I'm out here serving the Lord. There were some parts that were better than others though. First some back story.....
   So here in Teresa we used to have a special sacrament service for an area here that's pretty far. Then there were some changes that the ward wanted to make and that was discontinued. Now, for all the members up there, there's a service van that our stake president lets the ward use to go get the members so they can also receive the experiences and blessings of regular church attendance. Plus we can get anyone we're teaching to come with also. Well this has been going on for the past 3ish weeks and of course there were some kinks to straighten out and problems that had to be solved. This past week though everything on our part seemed to be going smooth and we did all we could to provide a way. And you know what happens? Well I'll tell you in a line from a song, just imagine me singing it.... "When you try your best and you don't succeeeeeeeeeed......." yeah, that about sums it up. Basically we went there to pick up the people that should be waiting there and there was only 2 people. And they were the primary kids. They're the rock stars of the group, let me tell you. So I guess the lesson here is that people will always have their agency, and that in the end it's a classic 2 Nephi 2:27 situation. The cherry on top though is that the van started having problems on the way to the church, so we ended up sending the family of brother Abiog (ward mission leader) and the other members we got on a tricycle. Then we spent a couple hours with brother Abiog and the van, limping our way to the church. Turns out that even though we added gas, there wasn't enough in the tank for it to get sucked into the engine, so at least it was an easy fix. 
     But even after all this, I just want to testify of the Tender Mercies of the Lord; I got some packages right after all this that Elder and Sister Bills brought from the office. They were filled with a little bit of heaven that my family sent for my birthday. They couldn't have arrived at a better time.
     I know that it's easy to get down when things don't go how they're planned or how we think they should. Trust me, I know. But I also know that God has a perfect plan for us. He provided a way for us to return to him. I know as we submit to the will of the father that we will never be led astray. We will become who He intended us to be.
     Anyways, I hope everyone is doing good wherever they are right now. Stay faithful and don't forget what's important.

   Elder Banister

   And here's a little something for the good old scrollers

Week 19

On the 14th Kolby's Grandma Banister passed away. Kolby was able to call her on the 10th and tell her good-bye. It's been really hard for him to be away. 

It's been a trial week for sure, definitely been strengthened on many sides. If the Devil thinks he can get me down with some cheap shot, he better think again. I got Jesus on my side, he's way stronger. I've been exercising my spiritual muscles this week too. I liked the talk by elder Juan Pablo Villar about out spiritual gifts and muscles and how we have to exercise them to strengthen them. Hopefully we can all practice our gifts from God and not waste them. I'll be going to a new area tomorrow in a place called Morong. It's province and has a lot of mountains so I'm super exited. I'll send some more next week, I don't have much to say. I found a really awesome scripture though that has helped me this week, it's Ether 12:4  Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. Let us all prepare for this better world and anchor ourselves in the hope of Jesus Christ. Christ showed us the way, all we have to do is follow. Thank you all for your love and support, I feel it every day I'm here.

Elder Banister 2

Week 7

Hi from the Philippines

Sorry I forgot to tell you, because transfers are this week p-day was pushed back. I'm staying in my area but my follow up trainer will be elder Santillian, I'll meet him tomorrow. This will be his last area, so we'll see how it goes. Anyways, it's been a good week. We were able to find some new people to teach and meet some more kids. It was crazy, there was like 20 of them and they were all dancing around and messing with me while my companion was talking to a street contact. It's super fun, I can't wait until I can talk to them all in Tagalog though. Line upon line. In our ward it's a lot of English, which is good and bad, because it doesn't help me learn faster, but it's nice to know what they're saying. I broke down and bought some steak for our last meal as a companionship. it's marinating as I type. I also bought this little rack and some charcoal so I can grill it. Old habits die hard, I'll send some pictures next week. Hope things are good for you all. A cool scripture I found in study is Mosiah 20:11 at the end when it says "like dragons did they fight". I'll send pics next week, Mahal ko kayo lahat.

Elder Banister 2