Week of May 2, 2016

Dear family and friends,

I have once again been privileged to serve another great week here in Baluarte! It is hard for me believe that it is already May! This last week, as I was pondering about the upcoming month, it occurred to me that this week (May 5) marks one year since my mission call was assigned to me. When I made that realization, it fully occurred to me just how fast time is passing; it actually scares me a little bit.

Over these past couple of weeks, I have gained a greater appreciation for the power of prayer and of the Holy Ghost. Being that we are working on acquiring more investigators in an area that has previously suffered a dearth of such, there have been many instances where all of our appointments and backups have been exhausted, leaving us with nowhere to go. It has been at these moments that I have prayed, told our Heavenly Father my situation, and asked His help in finding an individual who was willing to be taught.

Last Sunday for example, we were left in a predicament like I said earlier, with no one to teach. After praying, I felt prompted to turn around, and walk in the opposite direction. When we arrived at an intersection, I felt prompted to go down a street which I had never been down before. On that street, I saw two teenagers out on their front porch playing games on their phones. By all indications, it was clear that they probably would not be interested. However, I felt prompted to talk to them, so I did so anyway. When I began to talk to the two teenagers, it was evident that they were indeed not interested, as they basically bolted for the door as soon as they saw me. However, having seeing that I am American, they told their Aunt, who has a husband working in California, that there was an American out front and to go talk to me. When she did come out of the house, we instantly had a great conversation, talking about California and such, and she was very willing to be taught afterwards. Needless to say, I was very grateful for the invisible hand which led us to one who was willing to be taught.

It has ever been more clear to me through experiences such as this that the Lord is always there for us in our time of need, even if our need is a simple as needing an investigator to teach. Alma, a prophet found in the Book of Mormon, was well aware of this extraordinary truth. Thus, he urged his son, Helaman to "counsel with the Lord in all [his] doings, and [that] He [would] direct [him] for good" (Alma 37:37). In a world where choices and problems are a part of every day life, we mustn't forget that the fruit of all knowledge is just on the other side, waiting and willing to help us in all things that we stand in need of.

On a cultural note, for those of you who don't know, the Philippines also has a presidential election this year, their voting day being May 9th! However, although they have an election just as we do, their campaigning methods are quite different from those found in the United States. For example, the chief way of campaigning here is by driving around trucks (like the one in the picture) with blaring loud music. The music emitting from the trucks always have a tune stolen from a popular song, but the words are changed to the effect of "vote for John Doe for Santiago City council!". It has actually been quite impossible recently to escape the music from these trucks. They are everywhere!

Anyway, just know that all is going well!  I am also pleased to say that we also have some progressing investigators now. Hopefully next cycle I can have a baptism!

Have a happy Mother's Day this next week, and don't worry, I will have quite a bit to say about mothers next week!

Love,

Elder Pulley