Week of February 15, 2016

Dear family and friends,

This last week was incredibly busy! For one, I received a new companion on Wednesday! His name is Elder Pangilinan, and he is from Bulacan, a province relatively close to Manila. He has been out in the field one more cycle than me, but our MTC entrance dates were the same. Needless to say, we are both very young in the mission, and literally as well, as he is only 18! One thing that I appreciate about this new companionship is that Elder Pangilinan doesn't speak English to me like Elder Vicente did. This fact will definitely allow me the opportunity to learn Tagalog at an even faster rate. Also, it will be a great opportunity to help him by teaching him how to speak English! As hard as it was to say goodbye to my Tatay (meaning "father", or trainer) in the mission, I think I will learn quite a bit during this cycle ahead.

This last week, I received a package from my parents with Hickory Farms cheese and different sausages for the Tamayao family. The Tamayao's were definitely very grateful, but at first they didn't know what the items were, as the Philippines lacks cheese like we have at home. Tatay Tamayao thought that the cheese at first was soap! We certainly had a good laugh about that! After he knew it was imported food though, he said he might just leave it out as a display in his house, as food from other countries is such a rarity here. I guess I will find out this week if he was being serious or not! haha

This last week, I have recognized the Lord's hand in helping me fully lead my area here, and teach and lead the lessons. I have developed an even stronger testimony of the fact that when we need the Lord, He is always there. I was a little stressed out, because I sometimes feel the great responsibility that is placed on my shoulders as a missionary. Being in charge of the spiritual welfare of an entire portion of the Lord's vineyard is no small task, especially when your companion relies on you to know where to go, what to teach, etc. The other day in planning, I forgot to include a recent convert in our daily plan. Friday is the only day he is available, and he needs lessons to keep him on the right track. Anyway, after one of the lessons on Friday, we had on our plan to go to a less active. However, I had a stupor of thought, and could not remember where to go, even though I have been to his home countless times. I just started walking in one direction, and then had a thought that I should go contact down one street. It wasn't until I was right in front of our recent convert's home on that street that I remembered that we needed to teach him. The guidance of the Holy Ghost certainly is real, and I am grateful for the fact that it even has the power to both physically and spiritually direct us down the right path.

This next week, I will have been on the mission for six months. I cannot believe how fast the time is going by, and how much I have learned. I am excited to see the changes that will occur within myself the next 18 months.

Have a great week! 

Love,

Elder Pulley