Provo Temple Trip

Philippines Mission District

Brandon's Mission Companion is on the far left of the picture

MTC Week Number Two

Dear Friends and Family,

I can't believe I'm on my prep day already. Time is starting to go by really fast. 

Learning Tagalog has been somewhat challenging, but we are all making really great progress. It is getting to the point that we know enough vocabulary that we are actually able to form some sentences on our own accord rather than just having to memorize phrases. It's been sort of funny, because we started saying our prayers in Tagalog last week. Let's just say that my prayers have gotten a little more simple in nature over the past week! Believe it or not, we have already given five lessons in Tagalog to an "investigator." It has been humbling in those lessons not knowing what the "investigator" is asking or how to express what I want to say in Tagalog. The biggest thing I think I've learned in this process is that we must rely on the Holy Ghost to get our message across to the investigator rather than relying on our own vocabulary to do so. I've always been somewhat of a nerd when it comes to English, and I have enjoyed having a good vocabulary to choose from. However, since my English vocabulary is now irrelevant, I've had to focus more on the feeling of the lesson instead of the words said in the lesson. I know that if I do my best though, the Lord will do the rest.

I have really enjoyed getting to know my district better this week. The district consists of some really great kids. Our district leader is Tongan, is 6'4" tall, is 330 pounds, and has a size 16 foot, so I guess I won't be the biggest guy in the Philippines after all! Anyway, he is just like the rest of the islanders in regards to humor. He is one the funniest guys I've ever met and he's helped bring the district closer together. It has been nice to feed off of each other's testimonies and experiences as we embark on our mission together.

The devotionals here have been amazing. Last Sunday we had Stephen Allen of the seventy here. He has been the manager of the missionary department, and is in charge of the Mormon videos I think. He came to the meeting without "verse or script" yet he was able to give an amazing talk. The spirit was very strong as he spoke. That night I watched the "Character of Christ" talk by Elder Bednar. His talk was so amazing, and so complex, that after seeing it I didn't want to talk the rest of the night. The spirit was so strong from his words that I felt that I didn't have enough room in my chest to hold it. It is interesting in that as you learn more about the nature of Christ and His atonement, the more you realize the inability of the human mind to comprehend it. On Tuesday, we had another member of the seventy by the name of Lawrence Corbridge come and visit us. He also had not prepared any words to say, but relied on the spirit throughout to guide his thoughts. His talk was also great to be apart of.

I know some of you won't believe this, but I joined the choir. It's not exactly by choice, but it has been enjoyable. The chorister spends a lot of time talking about the history of certain hymns, and has shared some really cool things that I didn't know before! He also has a great since of humor, so it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be! Haha

The more I spend time here, the more I know that my choice to serve a mission was the correct choice. I know my mission won't be easy, but I think it will be a great stepping stone for other callings in life, whether it be preparing to be a good husband, father, etc. I just want to reassure those of you out there who have made the choice to serve a mission or those of you who are still on the fence, that this is the right choice. The Lord has called us, in spite of our imperfections, and will qualify us as we turn to Him.

Love,

Elder Pulley

My First Few Days at the MTC

Family and Friends,

The first few days at the MTC has been great! I have had the opportunity to meet individuals from all over the world who all have the same goal as me, which is to be a successful missionary. In no other place have I met individuals with such a variety of backgrounds, but who are so kind and accepting of one another. Witnessing this has been refreshing to the soul. 

I'm not going to lie, it was very hard to turn my back to my parents as I walked further into the airport. I knew this would be extraordinarily hard for me, and I had prayed and fasted for quite some time that I would be able to accomplish such a feat, and turn my life's direction from focusing my life just from my family and I, to focusing on God's other children who stand in need of the message I will share. God answered my prayer, and coincidentally, I was able to sit next to another Elder from Elk Grove. As I talked to another individual who had just left his family as I had, I was comforted knowing that many other individuals had experienced the hardship I had, but were continuing on nonetheless.

The MTC has consisted of a lot of time in the classroom, but the progress my district has made in learning Tagalog is truly exceptional. The amount of vocabulary we have learned in just three days is probably equivalent to three weeks of  instruction I would receive in the public education system. But, as Brigham Young pointed out, when the spirit is present in learning any material, the learning process can be expedited exponentially.

Today I had the privilege of attending the Provo temple with my district. The temple was able to comfort all of us as we set out to learn Tagalog as quickly as possible, and as we strive to be as ready as possible to preach the gospel to those of the Philippines. 

I have been assigned to be a companion with an Elder Kane from Salt Lake. He and I have gotten along really well thus far. He has a calm demeanor and even likes to run with me, which has been great! I feel that he and I are friends already, and I feel this way for my whole district. In no other place could I have made these friendships.

I also learned this week that I will be leaving Salt Lake on the first of October. However, after I arrive in Manila, I will be staying at the MTC that they have there for about a week.

I appreciate all of the wonderful letters I have received this week. It has been very comforting to be reminded of the support that I have at home. Thank you!

I want my friends who read this who will soon be going to the MTC to know that they have nothing to worry about. Everybody in here is in the same boat as you will be, and there are many leaders and teachers here to guide you along the way. Oh, and don't forget to bring notebooks, pens, and pencils. These items will come in very handy here. Also, if you don't want to have to buy laundry detergent here, bring some.

Love,

Elder Pulley