Hello Everyone!! Happy Pioneer Day!! This week went by so fast but was so much fun! I love being here in Bangued so much.
I also love being with Elder Jenson and living with Elder Hennessey and Campbell, it makes life fun!
This week was awesome. I cant really explain everything that we did but Ill try and give an update on some people that we have been teaching!
We taught almost every single discussion this week with a member of the Church with us. It was awesome. The people here are so willing to work with the missionaries and it makes life alot easier having someone who speaks Ilokano with us.
We are teaching a man named Alex who is about 30. He was paralyzed about 4 years ago after he was shot in the back from a gambling situation gone wrong. Since then, hes been able to get enough power in his legs to get from one side of his room to the other on his own. BUT! We have been reading the Book of Mormon with him about 3 days a week and we read 1 Nephi Chapter 8 on Friday.
If you haven't read Chapter 8 of 1 Nephi, read it! It is super good and helps explain how we can overcome satans temptations. He talked about how when in the mists of darkness, if we hold on to the Word of God, we can make it through. But we cant leave the word for a night and expect to know exactly where it is the next day while in darkness. I loved his initial though. And yesterday at church, he called us and told us "come outside and help me get in!" so we both ran out and there he was by the gate! It was super cool to see him and he said that he'll see us back at the gate next Sunday.
San Antonio is also as awesome as ever! So many people we confused at the sight of 2 missionaries walking around but now we have been able to break down barriers with them and help them understand our purpose as missionaries.
I am sorry that this email is short! The shop we are in is taking a while to load up and wont send pictures either so I will send them next week! Love you all! Have a great week :)
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Elder Pitt
Monday, July 24, 2017
Monday, July 17, 2017
Bangued is Awesome
Hello Everyone! How was your week? Ours was amazing!
I wish I could put into words how happy I am to be here in Bangued and how great the work is here. Elder Jenson and I have been getting home late and waking up early because we have been so busy. It is awesome. To start off, I want to focus on one barangay here in Bangued. The towns here in the Philippines are separated into neighborhoods called Barangays. They have their own barangay captain to solve problems in the neighborhood, they have meetings, and they even have basketball tournaments against other barangays haha. One here, is called San Antonio. It is on the outskirts of the town and you have to cross over a bridge, and then go along the shore of the river to get to it. During the rainy season it is sometimes impossible to get to or out of San Antonio because the water raises and covers the path. By tryke it takes about 20 minutes if there’s no water on the dirt road. Everyone who lives there either plants rice or corn for a living, drives a tricycle, or makes cement. In April and May, two families were baptized making them the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in San Antonio and since then, the Gospel has spread quick through the Barangay. We go there a lot because there are a lot of people willing to listen to us. We walked back one night because there were no more trykes and it took us about 1 hour and 10 minutes haha. The new members of the Church help us all the time teaching and visiting those willing to listen to our message. At church yesterday, there were 10 different visitors all from San Antonio who came. Some had been before, and others were there for the first time. It was awesome! The price to get to Bangued is so expensive, and the road was flooded from the rain we have been in but they still decided to come. Their faith in Christ is a testimony builder to me and to the other members here in Bangued.
I am so grateful that I have met those from San Antonio and I hope to meet more as my time continue here in Bangued.
Elder Jenson and I also went finding for more people this week and within 15 minutes of walking and knocking on houses, me met a Muslim family, a Hindu family, and a Korean born-again pastor! It was so cool to meet and see the diversity of lives from around the world and through religion. I tried to say the 3 or 4 words that Wesley Thompson taught me in Korean at college to the pastor. I don’t think he understood though hahah so we called our Mission Office Missionary, Elder Kim who is form Korea! He was able to talk to the pastor and explain what we were doing at his house because he didn’t understand English or Tagalog.
I give that man so much respect for wanting to share his message so much that he went to his wife’s home country and is now trying to learn Ilocano in order to teach. That’s awesome.
On Saturday, there was a baptism for brother Reginald! He is from Pangasinan but has been taught by the missionaries here for a while and has now chosen to be baptized! He, along with 2 others from another Branch were baptized Saturday morning. It was a really peaceful service and full of the Spirit. President Bangal was there for a devotional that we had later that evening. The devotional was titled “Come Unto Christ” and focused 100% on what Christ did for us, and how we can come unto him. The missionaries in our zone sang songs, we had people bare testimonies about the Restored Gospel, and watched videos about Christ’s life. I really like the devotional.
On Sunday we taught the Mission Preparation class to the youth of the Branch and it was a balst. We practice talking to people and focused on how reading the Bible and the Book of Mormon can help us not only live the Gospel, but help others live it too.
I have loved being here and being lost in the work. I hope you all have a great week! Find the time to pray to our Father in Heaven, find the time to watch videos of Christ’s life on https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/?lang=eng and find the time to call your family and tell them you love them. Ingat kayo!
--
Elder Pitt
I wish I could put into words how happy I am to be here in Bangued and how great the work is here. Elder Jenson and I have been getting home late and waking up early because we have been so busy. It is awesome. To start off, I want to focus on one barangay here in Bangued. The towns here in the Philippines are separated into neighborhoods called Barangays. They have their own barangay captain to solve problems in the neighborhood, they have meetings, and they even have basketball tournaments against other barangays haha. One here, is called San Antonio. It is on the outskirts of the town and you have to cross over a bridge, and then go along the shore of the river to get to it. During the rainy season it is sometimes impossible to get to or out of San Antonio because the water raises and covers the path. By tryke it takes about 20 minutes if there’s no water on the dirt road. Everyone who lives there either plants rice or corn for a living, drives a tricycle, or makes cement. In April and May, two families were baptized making them the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in San Antonio and since then, the Gospel has spread quick through the Barangay. We go there a lot because there are a lot of people willing to listen to us. We walked back one night because there were no more trykes and it took us about 1 hour and 10 minutes haha. The new members of the Church help us all the time teaching and visiting those willing to listen to our message. At church yesterday, there were 10 different visitors all from San Antonio who came. Some had been before, and others were there for the first time. It was awesome! The price to get to Bangued is so expensive, and the road was flooded from the rain we have been in but they still decided to come. Their faith in Christ is a testimony builder to me and to the other members here in Bangued.
I am so grateful that I have met those from San Antonio and I hope to meet more as my time continue here in Bangued.
Elder Jenson and I also went finding for more people this week and within 15 minutes of walking and knocking on houses, me met a Muslim family, a Hindu family, and a Korean born-again pastor! It was so cool to meet and see the diversity of lives from around the world and through religion. I tried to say the 3 or 4 words that Wesley Thompson taught me in Korean at college to the pastor. I don’t think he understood though hahah so we called our Mission Office Missionary, Elder Kim who is form Korea! He was able to talk to the pastor and explain what we were doing at his house because he didn’t understand English or Tagalog.
I give that man so much respect for wanting to share his message so much that he went to his wife’s home country and is now trying to learn Ilocano in order to teach. That’s awesome.
On Saturday, there was a baptism for brother Reginald! He is from Pangasinan but has been taught by the missionaries here for a while and has now chosen to be baptized! He, along with 2 others from another Branch were baptized Saturday morning. It was a really peaceful service and full of the Spirit. President Bangal was there for a devotional that we had later that evening. The devotional was titled “Come Unto Christ” and focused 100% on what Christ did for us, and how we can come unto him. The missionaries in our zone sang songs, we had people bare testimonies about the Restored Gospel, and watched videos about Christ’s life. I really like the devotional.
On Sunday we taught the Mission Preparation class to the youth of the Branch and it was a balst. We practice talking to people and focused on how reading the Bible and the Book of Mormon can help us not only live the Gospel, but help others live it too.
I have loved being here and being lost in the work. I hope you all have a great week! Find the time to pray to our Father in Heaven, find the time to watch videos of Christ’s life on https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/?lang=eng and find the time to call your family and tell them you love them. Ingat kayo!
--
Elder Pitt
Monday, July 10, 2017
Bangued 1st Branch
Hello Hello! Comin to you from Bangued, Abra how is everyone doing??
First things first Happy Birthday Miranda Kreutz!!
Second, I love the new area that I am in!! My companion Elder Jenson and I have gotten super close the last couple days. We met a while back going to a meeting but have talked every time we see one another so we are both excited to be companions! He is from Orem.. and plays soccer for BYU. This means that he knows the one and only HAMMER HANDS!
On Monday night we went to the De Guzman family for one last round of s’mores before transfers. I am really going to miss the De Guzman family. They have helped us so much with the work and with helping visitors feel welcome at church. I got into Bangued around 1 after a 4 hour bus ride alone! Look ma I know directions now I didn’t get lost! It was pretty easy though, there’s just one highway that goes from the top of Luzon to the bottom almost hahah.
When I got there, I met up with Elder Jenson and Elder Campbell! (Elder Campbell lives in the same apartment as us and he was my companion in Sevilla!) Best part, his companion is also an American from Portland! So that means there are 4 Americans in an apartment, and no Filipinos! Weird no?
We were able to get some work done on Tuesday and Wednesday including visiting some of the other missionaries in the Zone. Then on Thursday we went back to San Fernando for a meeting!
4 hours on Tuesday, 4 hours on Thursday, and then 4 hours again after the meeting on Friday! I think I caught the travel bug! Haha
MLC was super good. President is now allowing us to have a full hour of exercise in the morning. I am really happy for that because exercising in the morning has helped me be more alert and awake during the day, now I don’t have to rush working out! (and I’ll get skinny too!)
We got back from MLC around 11pm. Went straight to bed, got up, and went to the church to get everything ready for the baptism of an investigator in our area! I had only met her 2 times but can just see the joy she has and the Spirit she brings with her! She gave a great testimony about the Restored Gospel and how grateful she was for the missionaries. We are now starting to talk to her husband, who has seen the change in his wife and is a little curious as to why. We are hoping to talk with him and see him at church to help him understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are over two different municipalities so our area is huge!! Haven’t been to the second one yet but planning on it this week! We also had an activity with the whole zone earlier where we played games at the church and got to know everyone! I have been super busy this week and so tired at night but it hasn’t kept us down. We still get up and for some reason are 100% recharged again and ready to go. I will try and send more pics next week! We have a musical devotional on Saturday with President Bangal and other missionaries so I will let all of you know how that goes next week! I love you all so much! Thank you for reading these emails and make sure to let your family know that you love them! Have a great week!
--
Elder Pitt
First things first Happy Birthday Miranda Kreutz!!
Second, I love the new area that I am in!! My companion Elder Jenson and I have gotten super close the last couple days. We met a while back going to a meeting but have talked every time we see one another so we are both excited to be companions! He is from Orem.. and plays soccer for BYU. This means that he knows the one and only HAMMER HANDS!
On Monday night we went to the De Guzman family for one last round of s’mores before transfers. I am really going to miss the De Guzman family. They have helped us so much with the work and with helping visitors feel welcome at church. I got into Bangued around 1 after a 4 hour bus ride alone! Look ma I know directions now I didn’t get lost! It was pretty easy though, there’s just one highway that goes from the top of Luzon to the bottom almost hahah.
When I got there, I met up with Elder Jenson and Elder Campbell! (Elder Campbell lives in the same apartment as us and he was my companion in Sevilla!) Best part, his companion is also an American from Portland! So that means there are 4 Americans in an apartment, and no Filipinos! Weird no?
We were able to get some work done on Tuesday and Wednesday including visiting some of the other missionaries in the Zone. Then on Thursday we went back to San Fernando for a meeting!
4 hours on Tuesday, 4 hours on Thursday, and then 4 hours again after the meeting on Friday! I think I caught the travel bug! Haha
MLC was super good. President is now allowing us to have a full hour of exercise in the morning. I am really happy for that because exercising in the morning has helped me be more alert and awake during the day, now I don’t have to rush working out! (and I’ll get skinny too!)
We got back from MLC around 11pm. Went straight to bed, got up, and went to the church to get everything ready for the baptism of an investigator in our area! I had only met her 2 times but can just see the joy she has and the Spirit she brings with her! She gave a great testimony about the Restored Gospel and how grateful she was for the missionaries. We are now starting to talk to her husband, who has seen the change in his wife and is a little curious as to why. We are hoping to talk with him and see him at church to help him understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are over two different municipalities so our area is huge!! Haven’t been to the second one yet but planning on it this week! We also had an activity with the whole zone earlier where we played games at the church and got to know everyone! I have been super busy this week and so tired at night but it hasn’t kept us down. We still get up and for some reason are 100% recharged again and ready to go. I will try and send more pics next week! We have a musical devotional on Saturday with President Bangal and other missionaries so I will let all of you know how that goes next week! I love you all so much! Thank you for reading these emails and make sure to let your family know that you love them! Have a great week!
--
Elder Pitt
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Last Day in San Fernando!
It is a bittersweet feeling but I am transferring!
I have been in San Fernando for about 6 months and I will not forget all of the people I have met here and the things I have learned missionary wise and life lessons. This week was busy but full of laughter and the Spirit. After grocery shopping last Monday, we went to visit Antonio Bullag who had a birthday! It was by far one of the best birthday parties Ive been to. He was sooo happy to see the people there, the food was delicious, and we gave him his own real Missionary Nametag with his name on it! I cant explain how happy his face made me feel when he saw the present and when everyone sang him Happy Birthday. I really love the joy that Antonio brings into wherever he is. I am also grateful that the people here in the Sevilla Ward talk to him and love him.
On Tuesday we had a choir practice for a Musical Presentation that missionaries in the mission will be doing! They are going to each zone and focusing all hymns and songs on Christ and the theme "Come Unto Christ". All of the songs are so beautiful and spiritual. I wont be at the presentation here next week because of transfers but I will be at a different hopefully!
On Wednesday Elder Kamalu and I went on exchanges! He is from Kaysville and knows some of the "Bountiful Boys" so weve been making fun of Richard Haddock for the last couple days! Sorry Hammer Hands! Elder Kamalu and I have gotten close the last couple months being in Sevilla, hes super funny and is also good at playing basketball so it makes the games go by quicker when we are on the same team! ;) We taught a really good lesson about church attendance and it made me realize again just how important it is for us to go to church weekly.
On Friday was the last MCM here in Sevilla Ward for me. I am going to miss the Ward Mission Leader and all of the members who helped working with missionaries and welcoming new visitors into church on Sundays. Brother Spencer is a super hard working leader and so is the Bishopric.
On Saturday we woke up early in the morning to clean the baptismal font at the church! It takes about 2 hours to fill so as we waited, we invited the Single Adults over and played some basketball! Another thing Ill miss here is how good the single adults are at basketball lol. Once the font was full, we went home, got ready, and went back to the church for the baptism of Ceejay Langiden and Flora Bornillo. There were over 50 members there. It was so cool. The talks were great and both Ceejay and Flora were smiley and happy.
After the baptism we went finding in a super far barangay but the walk was awesome! I have come super close to Elder Diaz these last 6 weeks and I am going to miss him a bunch!
Sunday was awesome! Elder Smith and Elder Youngerman are both going home later today so they went to their last Sunday in the Philippines here in Sevilla! They both were assigned here and so we ate dinner at a members house with so much food that I wont need to eat for 5 days. Elder Smith looked like a cyclopes eating because he knows he is going to miss the food here haha. We were also able to teach Coreene and Mark Ferrer who are going to be baptized on July 14! I cant wait to see the pictures of the baptism that I will make Elder Diaz send to me. The Ferrers have such a contrite spirit and a willing heart. They are so awesome.
All in all I have loved being assigned in Luna, Narvacan, and now Sevilla. I am going to have a fun time in my next area though, Bangued!!! Its very far north in the mission but I am with Elder Jenson! (Another Americano) who goes home in one transfer!! I am super excited! I know this Gospel is true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet, and I know that the Book of Mormon and Bible work hand in hand to help us understand who we really are, and how we can return to our Heavenly Father after this life. I love you all! Have a great 4th of july! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELSEY MCCARY
--
Elder Pitt
I have been in San Fernando for about 6 months and I will not forget all of the people I have met here and the things I have learned missionary wise and life lessons. This week was busy but full of laughter and the Spirit. After grocery shopping last Monday, we went to visit Antonio Bullag who had a birthday! It was by far one of the best birthday parties Ive been to. He was sooo happy to see the people there, the food was delicious, and we gave him his own real Missionary Nametag with his name on it! I cant explain how happy his face made me feel when he saw the present and when everyone sang him Happy Birthday. I really love the joy that Antonio brings into wherever he is. I am also grateful that the people here in the Sevilla Ward talk to him and love him.
On Tuesday we had a choir practice for a Musical Presentation that missionaries in the mission will be doing! They are going to each zone and focusing all hymns and songs on Christ and the theme "Come Unto Christ". All of the songs are so beautiful and spiritual. I wont be at the presentation here next week because of transfers but I will be at a different hopefully!
On Wednesday Elder Kamalu and I went on exchanges! He is from Kaysville and knows some of the "Bountiful Boys" so weve been making fun of Richard Haddock for the last couple days! Sorry Hammer Hands! Elder Kamalu and I have gotten close the last couple months being in Sevilla, hes super funny and is also good at playing basketball so it makes the games go by quicker when we are on the same team! ;) We taught a really good lesson about church attendance and it made me realize again just how important it is for us to go to church weekly.
On Friday was the last MCM here in Sevilla Ward for me. I am going to miss the Ward Mission Leader and all of the members who helped working with missionaries and welcoming new visitors into church on Sundays. Brother Spencer is a super hard working leader and so is the Bishopric.
On Saturday we woke up early in the morning to clean the baptismal font at the church! It takes about 2 hours to fill so as we waited, we invited the Single Adults over and played some basketball! Another thing Ill miss here is how good the single adults are at basketball lol. Once the font was full, we went home, got ready, and went back to the church for the baptism of Ceejay Langiden and Flora Bornillo. There were over 50 members there. It was so cool. The talks were great and both Ceejay and Flora were smiley and happy.
After the baptism we went finding in a super far barangay but the walk was awesome! I have come super close to Elder Diaz these last 6 weeks and I am going to miss him a bunch!
Sunday was awesome! Elder Smith and Elder Youngerman are both going home later today so they went to their last Sunday in the Philippines here in Sevilla! They both were assigned here and so we ate dinner at a members house with so much food that I wont need to eat for 5 days. Elder Smith looked like a cyclopes eating because he knows he is going to miss the food here haha. We were also able to teach Coreene and Mark Ferrer who are going to be baptized on July 14! I cant wait to see the pictures of the baptism that I will make Elder Diaz send to me. The Ferrers have such a contrite spirit and a willing heart. They are so awesome.
All in all I have loved being assigned in Luna, Narvacan, and now Sevilla. I am going to have a fun time in my next area though, Bangued!!! Its very far north in the mission but I am with Elder Jenson! (Another Americano) who goes home in one transfer!! I am super excited! I know this Gospel is true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet, and I know that the Book of Mormon and Bible work hand in hand to help us understand who we really are, and how we can return to our Heavenly Father after this life. I love you all! Have a great 4th of july! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELSEY MCCARY
--
Elder Pitt
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