How is everyone doing?
Im sorry to make this email short, we have a lot of things going on today and Im not sure how much I have to email but first things first MERRY CHRISTMAS! I might be one week early still but I am also one day ahead meaning that next time I email, it will be Christmas, and I will be skyping the good ol' family! Its the most wonderful time of the year!
Well we are still busy as a bee here and it makes the time fly too fast! (How many times have I said that one!)
I cant believe I have already been here in San Fernando for a transfer now. The clock just wont stop spinning. I have been trying to make the best out of the speedy situation and I am grateful that the Lord has blessed me with great friends, companions and others here in the Baguio Mission.
Last Monday, President and Sister Bangal made dinner for all of the missionaries who were going home, and were kind enough to invite us and the other Elders here to join! It was really fun being able to talk to the missionaries who had served and now packed their bags to go home. I loved hearing their testimonies and their advice. It was a bittersweet moment driving them down to the bus stop late that night to get them to Manila. Im gonna miss the missionaries who are gone, and hopefully we will be able to run into one another down the road!
This week Elder Bin Salleh and I took a drive to the zones up north to drop off everyones supplies and packages from their family and friends! We started off before the sun rose and made it to Bangued just in time to be on the top of the mountain when the sun peaked over the hills. It was such a gorgeous sight, too beautiful not to stop on the side of the road for a solid 5 minutes. God's art is amazing. On the way back from Bangued, I dropped off Elder Bin Salleh in Santa Maria and had exchanges with Elder Hollister! Elder Hollister is from California and was baptized into the Church just 2 short years ago.. And now he is on a mission! Man it was so cool to hear how he learned about the Church and also how he was able to prepare for a mission so fast. He was trained by Elder Scott so it was great catching up on how Elder Scott is doing and all as well!
We drove through the southern zones on the way back and then got to work! We walked and walked and walked and walked trying to meet new people and talk to familiar faces... But some days are easier than others! It was a blast though, going from house to house, as we walked we discussed the Doctrine of the Church, General Conference Talks, The Book of Mormon and much more. At one point we both stopped and recognized that neither of us 2 years ago would think that we would be walking down barangays in the Philippines discussing the Savior and His Church. Im so grateful that we both caught hold of this amazing message and Gospel. We taught Brother Maurice, who was baptized about 2 months ago and his mother who has become more and more curious about the Church.
We discussed the Doctrine of Christ, or commonly known as "The Gospel of Jesus Christ". She had many questions about what repentance was, the power behind repentance, and being "baptized unto repentance". Through the help of the Spirit and the words of God we all read and discussed all of her questions and were able to come to conclusions about the Gospel. Sister Pugal is so willing to learn and pray about the things we share. She also committed herself to search, ponder, pray and after receiving an answer, be baptized into the Church.
I know I have said it so many times before, but I love being able to share Gods words with His children every day. I am going to miss doing that so much.
This week is going to be very busy, and the next coming weeks dont look like it will slow! We ran into some technical difficulties at the office last week, losing our access to Office making it pretty dang difficult to make a PowerPoint or Word document when you need to! So what did we do? We humbled ourselves and our pride from the "im a man i can do it!" to "Who knows Salt Lakes IT number??" Hahaha
I was able to meet through the phone Matt, Paul and Shin! What that means is Matt first started helping us, and it took long enough that his shift ended so the call was given to Paul.. until his shift also ended leaving Shin from Korea and I to shoot the breeze as Windows circled and circled and circled around! It was fun talking to each one of them! All had served missionaries before, now are husbands and fathers, and are all happy that theres not too much snow in Utah at the moment!
Thanks to their schooling and talents, we have Office back and running fast! Thank you and Merry Christmas Global Services!
We had a Ward Christmas Party Saturday night which was a blast! We used the sound system from the mission for the activity (Thank you President!) and the Sevilla Ward had prepared dance presentations, Christmas songs, games and much more! I was playin DJ for the night and thank goodness the mics didnt cause any trouble and no feedback ruined the day! We Elders of Israel also had a skit and decided to make it a little more spicy haha. We blindfolded Elder Hennessey and Elder Fowler, and they became the hands of Elder Lloyd and Bin Salleh! It was sooo funny watching them shave, eat bread, tie a neck tie and more! It was hilarious. I dont know if anyone got a video but if they did I hope I can get a copy. There were so many members there and almost all had smiles on their face! Some felt bad for the Elders being tormented by theirs "evil hands" but I know they were laughing on the inside hahah.
Church was great, each talk was about service. Brothers and Sisters we all have 7 more days to find 7 people, 7 families, 7 friends, who need our help and who the Savior is going to help through us. Find them! We are here on earth to have joy, and I know that we will find that through service.
One verse that was shared during the week found in John 15
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17 These things that I command you, that ye love one another.
I love you all. Have a great Christmas, and to you Mom, Dad, Mal, Lyss, Dallin, Whit... CATCH YAH NEXT WEEK ON SKYPE!
--
Elder Pitt
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