Week 60

 Hello from the Philippines!!! 

     It's been an awesome week, we had Zone Conference and learned about teaching the doctrines and principles of the gospel using the Bible and The Book of Mormon together. Then we got a chance to practice teaching. There were three zones there, and Elder Ivins and Elder Mulet gave the workshop on teaching with the  Bible and The Book of Mormon. Then they gave a concern to the group that we had to prepare a lesson in 1 minute to answer the concern. The lesson was to be 6 minutes and we had to use a verse from the Bible and The Book of Mormon. Well, after about 30 seconds we still had nothing. One of the companionships in the group would have to go up and role play what they came up with. And you know who they choose out of ALL those missionaries in the room? Elder Meredith and I. We went up there and pulled some verses out of thin air and made an effort to answer their concern for 6 excruciating minutes. Lesson learned. I will never let that happen again. "I looked like a fool" as Nacho Libre would put it. We weren't that bad, but it just made me want to be more fluent with the scriptures and more prepared to answer from the scriptures. 

     That was the highlight of the week for me, kind of started a fire inside me to be prepared. This is the last week of the transfer, we're excited to give our all. 

     That's all I can think to say right now. Maybe just a quick little love story in The Book of Mormon before I go. It's not really, but it depends how you look at it haha. Turn to 1 Nephi 7:19 for a second, and you'll probably remember this part of the story when they are bringing the daughters of Ishmael back "to wife" and Laman and Lemuel are about ready to kill Nephi and "one of the daughters of Ishmael" helps to stop them. If you'll notice the footnote for daughters then it takes you to 1 Nephi 16:7 which reads "7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also, my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ishmael to wife." Looks like that same daughter that stood up for Nephi caught his eye, am I right? Just kidding, I just thought it was interesting to see that's the verse that the footnote takes you to. Nephi sneaking in some romance to The Book of Mormon. Moral of the story: Get you a wife that will stand up for you. 

     Anyways, thank you all for your love and support! Until next week!

   Elder Banister

Elder Ivins, Batan Family

Week 59

 It has been a good week here in the Philippines!!!

     So we had the legendary visit from Elder Cook this past week, and his testimony is undeniable and a burning pillar, shining for all the world to see. He taught us a little about our urgency and the very short time we have to be out here serving full time. He also counseled us to make Joseph Smith's First Vision the centerpiece of the Restoration. There were two missions at the conference: Antipolo and Quezon City. Quezon City was the parent mission of Antipolo and the mission I started in, so there were some wonderful reunions with people that stayed in the Quezon City mission. 

     This week we also had Sister Adorna Saludaga come to church!!!!! She is literally one of the most receptive people to the Gospel that I've ever met. We have seen her knowledge grow so much about our Savior and the Gospel. POWER. 

     Another mentionable thing was this past Friday, we did something that I never thought we would in this companionship: we ran. We got up at 5am and headed to the mountain. There's a steep road that leads to the boundary of our area. It's a slow start, we start off nice and easy. Elder Meredith and I are doing good, but as the run goes on, Elder Meredith's countenance changes from someone who is enduring something they don't want to do to someone that looks like they want to kill me hahaha. Yeah, he wasn't a happy camper, but it was a good experience. We got a good workout and it was nice to feel the soreness, especially the next day. Just like old times.

     I had a good time studying Lehi's vision this past week for the come follow

me. My understanding and appreciation for it has grown greatly as I have taken the time to slow down and really get into it. One thing that I really loved in the dream was when Lehi partakes of the fruit, and is filled with exceedingly great joy (1 Nephi 8:10-12). In 1 Nephi 11:21-23 we get the explanation that the tree and the fruit represent the Love of God, which is most desirable above all other things and most joyous to the soul. I know that the Love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is infinite, and it extends to the ends of eternity. We cannot comprehend it, but we can partake of it, through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. That is the way to partake of the fruit, by following the Gospel path. We will feel the joy that Lehi has spoken of, which was proclaimed by the mouth of an angel as "most joyous to the soul". May we all stay on the path, and help others along the way. I know we can do it. No matter how many times we may have to recommit ourselves, or make our way back to the path, the Atonement and loving arms of Jesus Christ are always there to pick us up and bring us back. I know that is true.

     Thank you all for your support and prayers! Until next week!

     Elder Banister

From the Left: Mayet, me, Daniel, Shemmpai, Choy, Adorna Saludaga, Lilay

Week 58

 What a week!

     So we have really been on fire with the work these past couple weeks, like the spirit has been guiding us to so many people and delivering the message to their hearts. Sister Saludaga is doing amazing, she is almost finished with 2 Nephi. And that's not just simply READING the Book of Mormon, that's UNDERSTANDING it also; she won't go on until she has grasped what she has read. Amazing. This past week we went to her and her brother Abel was there. He tried to leave, but sister Saludaga stood up and would NOT let him leave, she was ready to fight him hahaha. So we taught him also and it was amazing. Sister Saludaga is really someone that loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and she's sharing that love with her family. 

     Another fun time was while we were in an area called Donya Aurora Ibaba, on the way to an appointment. These three kids come running up to us asking for more pictures of Jesus, the pass along cards we give out. They're about 5 years old maybe, pretty small, cute little kids that are full of energy. I start to play with them a little, and they chase me around, all having a good time. Then out of nowhere one of the little rats winds up his fist and sends it flying into my crotch at high speeds, sending shock to my body and stops me in my tracks. Man, my companion Elder Meredith was laughing so hard, he thought it was the funniest thing in the world. But let me tell you about the next day. We go through the same spot and the three stooges come out again. The one goes straight to punch my tenders again, but I was like "no no no, not this time you little brat" and blocked it. They were just asking for more pictures again, and I said no, so they went to Elder Meredith, and he was in the middle of telling them he didn't have either, when WHAM! Strait to crush his posterity, this time I was the one dying laughing. And you know the saying "monkey see, monkey do", after the first one got him, one of the other little rascals went in again while he was crouched over in pain and cracked the other egg. That will be an experience I will never forget, it was so funny.

     Anyways, my leg is doing a lot better, I finished my last horse pill/Antibiotic this morning. Crazy stuff. Also last night it started raining ash from a volcano, just a little bit, but it smelled like sulfur all night. Thank you all for your prayers and your faith and support. It just gives that boost to get through the tough times. Hope you all have a good week! Don't forget to study your come follow me! I will also get to hear from Elder Cook this week!!!!! Stay tuned for next week on how the visit is!!!

     Elder Banister

Week 57

 Hello from the Philippines!!!

     It's been a pretty good week, we have seen a lot of miracles in the work. Sister Saludaga came to church this week, and she brought her mom! Such a power family, we are so happy to be able to teach them. Sister Saludaga is in 2 Nephi 8 now, feasting upon the words of Christ. Elder Meredith and I had a new experience this week. So with everyone we teach, we leave our number also so while they're reading they can text us with any questions and we can answer. I have NEVER received a text asking a question, until just last week when Sister Saludaga had a question in the Book of Mormon. I don't think I've ever been so happy to answer a question before, it was awesome.

     Sister Katherine is also doing well, she came to church with her son. We taught her the Word of Wisdom earlier this week and she is doing good on all points, which is a blessing and a big help to her progress.

     On a more gross note, we spent the morning in the hospital to get my leg checked out. I have an infected boil of all things right above my knee. Who would have thunk. I'll get a good picture for you all. While we were teaching this old lady she slapped my knee about 5 times and Elder Meredith was just dying laughing. That was fun. Anyways, nothing to worry about, I got some antibiotics so we are all good now. 

     Just a little something I liked from my study before I leave; In the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith he is told by Angel Moroni that his name will be ''had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.'' I have seen this here on the mission and I can only imagine what was going through young Joseph's mind when he heard this. I know that Joseph saw what he said he saw and that he is the Prophet of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through reading the Book of Mormon, all people can know of the truthfulness for themselves. Anyways, thank you all for your love and prayers, until next week!

   Elder Banister

Week 56

 Been a good week! 2019 is almost gone, and the legendary year of 2020 will begin. SUPER EXCITED!!! But a few things that have happened this week

     Church was great, we had a combined lesson for second hour. Bishop Espi taught and while he was teaching he was asking about a group in the Book of Mormon that was changed by the Gospel. Then a sister gets up and starts going OFF on a rant about everything under the sun, and the next thing we know, she starts SINGING. She sings this Tagalog song for a solid 5 minutes and at that point, we are struggling to contain our laughter; in other words, we were dying. It's a good thing we weren't too close to the front, that would have been bad. Oh the things you see on the mission. 

     All our friends we are teaching are doing pretty good. Sister Saludaga is doing amazing and still reading the Book of Mormon, she is up to Second Nephi now. We taught her "partner" yesterday and he was also super awesome, we are eager to find out more about their situation to see what the next steps to her conversion are. Sister Katherine is doing pretty good, she has been busy lately with the holidays, but is still letting us come to her. Hopefully after the new year everything calms down and we get on a good roll again. Anyways... next week will be a better email. Promise. That's all for this week!

     Elder Banister

Week 55

 Hello from the Philippines!!! My goodness, what a monumental week, I have done what I never thought I would get to do: I tried some scooby snacks, if you know what I mean. Now right off the bat, I'm sure there are some of you reading this that are thinking "yOu MonStEr, HoW couLd you dO ThaT?!?!" Well, if it makes you feel better, I had two plates, sooo... oh wait, that would make things worse..... The point is it's done and there's no going back. Also had some balot to go with it, which goes down a lot easier than it used to.

     We had an awesome Christmas party with the ward and had a lot of the people we are teaching come. 

     Just excited for this week where we especially remember the birth and life of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He lives. He loves us. I hope we can all remember Him past the 25th of December and throughout the year. Just a few of my favorite scriptures about Him. The first is 2 Nephi 17:14 and the second is 2 Nephi 19:6 (also found in Isaiah). But the second is 6 For unto us a achild is born, unto us a son is given; and the bgovernment shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The cMighty God, The dEverlasting Father, The Prince of ePeace. 

     Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! Next week I might have a few pictures.

     Elder Banister

Week 54

 Hello from the Philippines!!!

     Wow, what a crazy week, let's start with the good stuff. First of all, the Giving Machine was awesome, even though the mall wasn't super busy on Monday. Super glad I got to go and do that. Felt like a couple of province boys going to the big city. And one of the best parts was we got to go eat at Taco Bell. You know you haven't had American food in a while when you get excited about Taco Bell. But anyways, that was good. We also got to do service this past week, that was awesome. There was this little lot with about 20 Banana trees and we went with my machete and cleaned it out. One of the most satisfying things is taking a swing at a banana tree and getting a nice clean slice right through it. We also got to release some of our... built up tension by chucking the chunks of tree to the side. I love missionary work, but I sure do miss work like that, so it was a nice break. I also got some christmas gifts from my family!!! My goodness, there was some awesome stuff in there, my favorites are probably this little book called the Missionary Pal and the most American pen that I have ever seen. I only use it for special occasions.

     We also are in the middle of a miracle with one of the people we are teaching right now. Her name is sister Saludaga. So we have taught her four times so far, and she has been reading the Book of Mormon, which is vital in conversion. This past visit she opened up to us a little bit. She told us that her father had passed away, and a few weeks before we met her, she prayed to God to help her faith become stronger in Him. Then we showed up. I know this work is true. Those seeking to come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will find no better way than living the Restored Gospel. This upcoming year we should do all we can to stand as close to Christ as possible. Anyways, that was the week in a nutshell, hope everyone has a good week!

     Elder Banister

Oh yeah, we also did some face mask things...