San Fernando Week 1

Hello Family and Friends! How are you all doing??
I dont have much time this week to email but I will try my best to get everything in!
Nothing too crazy happened this week, but Elder Campbell and I were able to talk to a lot of new people and teach a little about Christ and about what he did for us.
There are a lot of people who live in our area and we see new faces every day, it is so awesome.
On Thursday we went on exchanges and thats what I want to focus my email on this week!
I stayed in San Fernando with Elder Vilela and Elder Campbell went to San Juan. Elder Vilela is 21 and from the Philippines. He was baptized when he was 19 and since then, he prepared for a mission and now is a full time missionary for the Church!
I wanted to focus on how it was that he came into contact with the missionaries, and how he was able to change so fast that now he is teaching the Gospel that he learned about just 2 years ago.

Elder Vilela was a worker at a hotel since he was old enough to work, and one night while he was working late with two other workers, 4 men came into the hotel to rob them. All 4 men had guns and starting yelling at Elder Vilela and his co-workers. One of his co-workers tried to defend himself and started to fight with one of the 4 men. When they started to fight, the others started shooting him and all of the other workers.
The girl behind the desk was shot and killed, and the worker that was fighting with one of the men was also shot multiple times, and is now paralyzed from the waist down.
Elder Vilela tried to defend himself as well and was shot 7 times, 2 in the leg, 1 in the thigh, 2 in the stomach, 1 in the back, and the last bullet was a point black shot to his skull leaving his unconscious and on the ground bleeding.
All he remembers is waking up in the hospital after being in a coma for 1 full week, and having his entire body in bandages.
His skull is indented on the left side and they were able to extract the bullet from his brain! He still has the bullet in a little container that the doctors gave to him!
After a month and a half in the hospital he was released and was just sitting at his house recovering when he became very upset with God and for what had happened. He didn't understand why that would happen and why it was him that had to be in so much pain and still not be able to walk or eat.
His neighbors were actually being taught by missionaries when he got brought up in their conversation. His neighbors told the missionaries the story and they asked if they could visit him. When they first did, Elder Vilela did not want to talk to them, especially about God.
The missionaries were persistent and taught him about the Plan of Salvation. After the lesson Elder Vilela said that he couldnt focus and did not want to believe them, but couldnt help but think that what they said was true. So he invited them back and the rest was history, he was baptized after he was healed up and strong enough to walk, and now is teaching the exact thing that gave him the hope needed so desperately.

I am so grateful for this Gospel and for the testimony of the Restoration. I love you all and hope that you are all safe throughout this week. Mahal ko kayo! Next week ulit!


Elder Pitt

Theres Bauang and San Fernando right beside the ocean blue

Hello Everyone! I hope you all have had a great week! This last week was very busy and so great!
Monday was my last day in Narvacan, and it was amazing. I was able to say goodbye to all of the people that I had met, and we were also able to teach the Maaghop family. Elder Scott led a great discussion about prayer and really knows how to talk with others about the Gospel. It was so cool to also hear his progression in Tagalog and the Spirit working through him. The Maaghops are so nice and caring, i will miss them so much.
That night we also found out that I will be transferring to San Fernando! Back down south in La Union! I was so excited and even more excited to find out that my companion is Elder Campbell! Another American companion is all right in my eyes! Hahah, I got there on Tuesday and from then till now we have been super busy working with the Ward and also other missionaries to figure out new ways to help others come closer to our Savior.
On Friday we had a meeting with other missionaries from the mission and I saw Elder Mereki there! It was so good to catch up with him and speak Tagalog with him! We talked about all the memories we had in the MTC and how the mission is! He is such a hardworking missionary and deserves the best! The meeting was really good and we were able to make plans for the mission and all of the activities that our Mission President wants to do!
On Sunday I met the ward and everyone was so nice and welcoming! There are a total of 6 missionaries in the ward so they are all so interested in the new missionaries and their recent areas! I am about an hour away from Luna and I am hoping that I will see the members from Luna at Stake Conference in 2 weeks! Elder Campbell has done a great job showing me the area and helping me feel welcome. We have so much in common and its so fun to be able to learn more about one another.


This last week I have been focusing my studies on Our Savior, Jesus Christ. I read the Book of Matthew and loved the attributes that Christ showed as he lived his life. Especially his Love for others. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he was always willing to help others and I think that it is a great example for all of us to follow. No matter where we are, what were are doing, or who we are with, we can help, support and save others from the pain and trials they are going through. The Savior is the greatest example of who we should be like in this life. I love you all and hope you all have a great week!


Ingat!



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Elder Pitt

Happy Birthday Sister Pitt

Hello all! I dont have much time to write this email so I will make it quick but I hope you all had a great week!
Monday-Wednesday I was as sick as a dog so we weren't able to do much, but on Monday I did get my drivers license for the Philippines so that was cool! On Wednesday we had a zone training and watched a video showed to us by President Bangal by President Russell M. Nelson. It was focused purely on Jesus Christ with a charge to always focus on Him and give all attention to doing what he would do. I really loved the talk and the idea of always having him in our hearts and our minds.
On Thursday we had exchanges! Elder Richardson came to Narvacan to work with me and Elder Scott and Smith worked in San Fernando! It was such a fun time working with Elder Richardson! He used to be assigned here so we were able to visit the people he used to visit when he was here! I learned so much from him and we kept a conversation going the whole entire day! It was super fun and all of the people here love Elder Richardson!

Other than that the week was just busy as usual! At Church on Sunday we talked about the life of Gordon B Hinckley again and I am getting excited to read the book about his teachings when the order comes in!
Last night we got a notice that I will be transferring on Tuesday! I am sad I have to leave Narvacan but I am also excited for the opportunity to meet even more people in a new area! We find out later tonight so next week I will email about the new area! I just wanted to let you all know that I love you all and wish you all the best! If youre in a snowy area.. Be thankful! Its heatin up here in the Philippines right now and I could use some snow!
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Elder Pitt

What's good

Hello everyone! This week was so busy but so worth it! We were able to meet so many new people and also catch up with those we have known and come so close to in our time here in Narvacan. I simply cant remember all the things that occurred this week but I do know that it was so great. During the week, we visited the people that we had gone to during the Christmas season and given copies of the Book of Mormon to. We were able to teach and discuss with them what the Book of Mormon is, and were also able to learn about their lives and  gain a new friend every single day. I know that I will not forget the experiences and the people here. On Wednesday, we had zone training in Candon, and it was so helpful! We also spend about 30 minutes each training practicing english with the Filipino missionaries! It is such a fun time with them and the Sister Missionary who is in charge of the Language Study, Sister Dariano, always makes the activities uplifting and joyful. After Zone Training, we went on exchanges! Elder Dela Puerta went with me in our area and Elder Scott went with Elder Calipes in their area! Elder Dela Puerta is such a good example and a hard working missionary. He holds a quiet dignity about himself and I learned so much while on exchanges. One of the members of the Ward, Joshua Mina, also came with us while working! He is almost dont with his mission papers and will be serving soon! Im super excited for him!
 The next day, Elder Dela Puerta and I woke up at 5 to get to Santa Maria early..Elder Scott and I were asked to help at a service prokect for the Melo family, members on the ward. But when we got there, they hadnt gotten the materials yet for the service project.. Thats okay next time na lang! hahah We went back to the house, got ready for the day. and then Elder Corpin and Elder Diaz, missionaries in Candon City came to go on exchanges with us! Elder Diaz stayed in our area with me and Elder Scott went to Candon with Elder Corpin! While we worked, we were able to find new familes to teach and more people to help. Elder Diaz is super good at Ilocano which made me so so jealous but I was able to learn a lot from him. He has only been a member of the LDS Church for 2 years and is already a missionary and a great leader to say the least. I loved being with Elder Diaz and learning from him. Elders Alvarez and Baliwas were in San Fernando so it was just us two at the apartment at night! We just talked about anything and everything, and taught one another too!
When we woke up the next morning, Elder Corpin and Scott came back and we talked about our time away from one another hahah. Elder Scott was not in his area for 2 days and already missed Narvacan! While we ate lunch, an American who we have seen around before, Charles, came and sat with us at the restaurant! He invited us over to his house for a Sunday dinner and to celebrate his sons birthday! I will get to that later! Also while we were eating,  we got a call from the missionaries in Santa Maria, Elders Dela Puerta and Calipes, they had finished planning and we went on exchanges again! Hahah this time, Elder Calipes was in our area with me and once again, Elder Scott went to a different area. Elder Scott was a big trooper this week doing whatever was asked of him. Proud of you Elder Scott you are killin it! Elder Calipes and I had a great time talking to one another. When I was new, he welcomed me in and taught me alot. He continued to as well as we were working throughout the day. ####### The next day, Saturday, The Return of The Elder Scott to Narvacan occurred! Hahah, but it only happened for about an hour, and then the zone leaders called us to let us know we needed to go to the next town over to find a new apartment that the mission could use, so missionaries could be in that the town! Brother Rambo Ruiz took us and as he showed Elders Baliwas and Alvarez where members of the Church live, Elder Scott and I went searching. Our first stop was at this ladies house, and it was gorgeous! She was quite the sweet talked as well but we had to let her know that we werent the ones deciding. People above us would be the ones to decide! (Didnt mean we couldnt eat the food she offered us though! haha) Before it got to late, Brother Ram picked us up again and gave us a ride back to Narvacan. Once we got back, he was willing to work with us so we went to visit the Cabe family and the Maaghop family! Brother Ram is a great teacher and entertainer. He really knows how to bring peoples attention to the message and help them feel the Spirit of the Lord in their lives. I am so grateful for everything that he does for others and for us missionaries. Also his wife as well Sister Joan! On Sunday, we went to church! It was such a good sunday! Fast and Testimony meeting was help this week so there were no assigned speakers, the mic was open to anyone and everyone, in order for all of us to share our testimonies and help strengthen one another. We also talked about the Priesthood during the first hour of class, and in the second hour, all of the men read the introduction to the book "Teachings of the President: Gordon B. Hinckley" Here in the Philippines we had yet to receive the book but I can not waite to get myself a copy! Gordon B Hinckley was such a great man and Prophet of God. I am so thankful for the effort of church leaders. From teachers in classes, to apostles, everyone has a role to play at it is so important.  During the day was visited Charles and his family! Turns out, Charles lives here with his wife and family, but when he goes to the United States to visit family.. where does he go? To Pendleton, Oregon! WHO. WOULD. HAVE. GUESSED. Brother Charles is a Buckaroo! Hahaha we talked about fishing on the Columbia, Duck hunting, the Tri-Cities, and most importantly, while it is that we are here in the Philippines and not shooting mallards out on the river this time of year. He expressed to us his respect that he has for missionaries and was willing to do anything to help us. We asked if we could get help, by helping him. And next week we plan on raking and shoveling out a new lot right now to his house that he is putting a pathway in, for anyone and everyone to use, to hangout, and to have a safe, nice play area! It was such a good time at his house. Like I said, Im not able to remember everything that has happened this last week, but I cant forget Sunday night. After we got back from working, all 4 of us missionaries talked with one another for such a long time. We were laughing, joking, planning, and also creating a plan to make our time here always focused on our Savior. I love missionaries and their determination. It makes me want to be a better missionary every day and I am thankful for their help. I hope you all have a great week and just a follow up, I still have not drank any soda since 2016! I hope all of your New Year Resolutions are still in affect! Mahal ko kayo!
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Elder Pitt

Happy New Year

Hello! Happy 2017 everybody! I am so excited for this year! And this week was so much fun! I will start it off with Monday when we went to the Stake Christmas Party in Candon! While we were there, we were able to use Brother Rambos wifi hotspot to skype our families! It was so so much fun being able to talk to my family and hear their voices! I hope everyone again had a great Christmas! After the Christmas Party, we came back to Narvacan, got groceries, and then went out to work!
On Tuesday, the ward had a youth camping activity, but needed to have a first aid portion on the first day, so Elder Scott and I went out their during lunch and taught first aid! I knew that Eagle Scout award and first aid merit badge would come in handy some day! hahah it was so much fun, and also dont worry not one person got injured at the camp! After we got back, we went on a long distance walk to some new areas that we hadnt been to before! A couple days ago, we saw an American guy from Oregon at a restauarunt and he told us to go visit him and his family! They live in a barangay called San Pedro and while we were trying to find his house.. We ran into a different American guy! It was awesome! His name is Raymond and is from Mississippi! Him and his family we so nice and welcoming. We werent able to find the other American, Charles, but theres more to that story later!
On Wednesday, we woke up at 4am for a service project/activity with the ward! #Dedication! hahah all of the youth had an activity where as they climb the mountain here, Noah, they had to pick up garbage on the path. So before they started their hike, us 4 Missionaries went with some youth leaders and left flags with treasures around them for the youth to find. It was so fun watching the sun rise and being able to be with the ward! We came back to the bayan, showered, got ready, and had our District Meeting here in Narvacan. It was a really fun time learning from one another and practicing teaching, tagalog, and other things! During the day we visited a family who was baptized last December 2015. We celebrated their 1 year as a member of the Church with them and they also showed us around more where they live and all of their family they have around. Elder Scott did a great job teaching, and during his lesson, he said about 5 or 6 straight sentences all in Tagalog and correct grammar. All of us were so so excited and happy! It was a really cool experience to see that "click" in his head and watch him fire off all of the sentences he wanted to say! Then he killed it in our lesson with the Alafriz family, and was able to help all of us at the lesson see the importance in keeping the Lords commandments. Needles to say that right as we got home and got everything finished we went straight to bed!
Thursday was a very good day. At night the Mina Famile invited  us over to dinner and their cousin and her husband were in town. When we got to their house we found out that her husband is from just north of Washington State, in Vancouver Canada! They met while he was on a tour here and it was so much fun to talk with him. Zach and his wife Aiza were so nice and open to listen to us talk. They were willing to listen and also to ask questions in order to further understand why it is that us members of the LDS Church do what we do. I am so grateful that we were able to meet them and share with them a message about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ###### On Friday I went on exchanges with Elder Calo in Santa Maria! Our first appointment was pretty far away but thats no problem for missionaries! Especially when we have bikes! Like the elders in Santa Maria do hahah. After our first discussion while riding away, history repeated itself and the bike that I was using broke! I really need to get serious about losing weight I tell yah! hahah The whole day we walked around with our bikes! Their house was too far away to go all the way there and back but it did make for some good stares from people who probably thought one of us didnt know how to ride a bike! Elder Calo is an awesome misisonary and such a hard worker. I am so glad that I was able to learn from him and be with him on Friday.
Saturday was New Years Eve! I got back from Santa Maria and we went straight to work! The joke "see you next year" did not get old in 2016 because everyone kept saying it to us during the day haha. That night, our land lady Sister Leah invited us over to eat with her and her family! It was so nice of them to do on New Years Eve! The apartment that we live in has been rented out by missionaries for almost 15 years now! We ate a delicious dinner and also played games and got to come close to their family throughout the night. Elder Scott is full of black magic tricks and different games so it is really fun to play when we are at Family Home Evenings or just out on the street talking to people! We stayed up until 12 to watch the fireworks, and man alive were there so many! We stood on our balcony and watched in every direction different fireworks go off! So many people we outside and I wont forget seeing all of the lights and fireworks and people! Happy New Year everyone!
On Sunday, we went to church! The Maaghops were also there! It was so good to see them as a whole family attend church and also classes after Sacrament Meeting! We learned about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how He Lives now. I loved the different insights from each person in the class and I love the people here so much. I hope you all have a great 2017 and dont forget to make a new years resolution! Mine is: Not to drink soda in 2017! I think it might be impossible here in the Philippines but I will try it and see how it goes! Love you all! Ingat!                                          



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Elder Pitt