Well..
Tapos na.
Its
crazy how fast two years can fly by. I didn’t think it would be so fast, but now
I think I understand what every one else says about serving the Lord and how
amazing fast it goes. I am so grateful for the blessing that was given to me to
serve the Lord here in the Philippines Baguio Mission. I have learned so much
and have met so many people that will never leave my thoughts and prayers. I am
grateful for the support that my family has shown and for their love and I am
eternally grateful for the Savior and His atoning sacrifice. This last week has
been bittersweet to say the least. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we had zone
conferences in Candon, Baguio, and in San Fernando. The combined zone
conferences Presided by President Bangal brought energy and knowledge to each
one of us missionaries. President talked about the importance of the Book of
Mormon and also bore a great testimony of the Church and the Gospel. I will
never forget the Spirit that I felt as he has spoken and instructed. I have
gained so much respect for President and Sister Bangal and I know that Divine
Design specifically chose them to lead the Baguio Mission and support all within
it. In Luna, my first area I learned the power of prayer. I learned that even
the most simple prayer can stop a storm when you need clear skies and learned
that without communication with our Heavenly Father we will struggle in making
correct decisions and being guided by His hand. I loved my time there with Elder
Golle, Elder Moreland and Elder Waite. Each of them taught me something new and
helped me continue in my progress. I was able to go to church yesterday in Luna,
and see all the oh so familiar faces in the spirit filled Meetinghouse. Thank
you as well to Brother Spencer Frederico and his family who drove me to Luna so
that I could go to church there. It also felt great to be able to hold
conversations with the members there, and actually understand the things that
they were saying haha.
In
Narvacan, I learned what it meant to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ and a lot of
that is because of Bishop Ruiz and his wife. Elder Scott and I had a blast and
learned so much from one another. I loved the members there and
those that we just seemed to stumble upon or be stumbled upon. I miss Narvacan
so much and cant wait to visit once again some where down the road. I was only
there for a short amount of time but at least each day spent was a day worth
writing about in a journal full of memories.
Then
came Sevilla Ward. Man the Sevilla ward is the best ward I was assigned in here
in the San Fernando Stake. (It was also the only ward I was assigned in in the
San Fernando Stake!) I learned more Tagalog thanks to Elder
Campbell, gained a stronger sense of loving others as I was with Elder Tavita
and then topped off my time there with Elder Diaz learning so much from his
testimony as a fairly new member of the Church and already serving a
mission.
Then
comes my time in Bangued Abra where I have never felt the Spirit stronger. I
love Bangued. The Isolation, and seclusion. The area we worked in and more
importantly the people we met. It is without a doubt that a large piece of my
heart has been left in each one of my areas and for sure, Bangued. Being in an
apartment with only American Elders was a blast. Learning from each one of them
and seeing Elder Campbell and my companion Elder Jenson finish their missions on
top and always working their hardest set the example of what I should do when
that time came. After the left, Elder Lloyd came in and seemed to not leave for
the rest of my mission! Haha we were companions from August 2017 until February
2018 and witnessed mighty miracles in the hearts of those in Bangued. I gained a
stronger testimony of following the Spirit and also in the Priesthood. I am so
grateful for Elder Lloyd’s knowledge of the scriptures and his work ethic.
Whether it was leaving the house at 6am to go to work or not coming back till
10pm at night, he wanted to work as much as possible and pushed us both to
always do our best.
And
then my last area, the very familiar Sevilla Ward once again. Yesterday before
going to Luna, I attended Sevilla’s Sacrament, making it my 43rd
Sacrament Meeting in the Sevilla Ward hahah. Who woulda guessed that I would be
in one area for almost a year of my mission? Definitely not me but I am not
complaining either. I could walk down these same streets for another 6 months if
needed without complaint. It was so cool to know so many people here in San
Fernando. To learn about their families, to share with them the message of the
Restoration and to see the Gospel take affect in their lives in order for them
to be strengthened and blessed. Not only was I blessed with great companions in
this area, Elder Bin Salleh, Elder Lloyd and Elder Ebreo but I was also blessed
with the opportunity to work with so many other missionaries in the mission and
in their areas learning from them what it is that I can do to succeed as a
missionary. Im not going to forget the late nights preparing things, trying to
get in just a couple minutes of personal study on hectic days before my eyes
literally couldnt stay open anymore and also the times the that Spirit was so
present in lessons, activities, and at church.
I cant begin to describe how much I have learned and how many miracles I
have seen occur in my mission but I will just end this last email by saying that
I know the Church is true and that The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Russel
M. Nelson is the living prophet and the Atonement of Jesus Christ is what we
need daily to overcome obstacles and to succeed in our lives. I love my family
so much and I cant wait to see them. Especially I am grateful for my mom and dad
who are the two best people I know and in whom I have complete trust. You both
are so amazing. Thank you.
See you all soon,
-Elder Pitt
