I am happy to say that this last week was busy and eventful as usual! Perhaps the biggest thing to note is our zone conference we had this last Thursday. I had the opportunity to see many of my friends that I haven't seen in quite a while at the conference and I of course was able to meet my new mission president and wife, President and Sister Hiatt.
The story of the Hiatt's is quite interesting, as they just completed a couple's mission last year in the Manila mission. It so turns out that the very time they were unloading their things at their home in Idaho after arriving from the Philippines, their Bishop arrived informing them that M. Russell Ballard's office (a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) was trying to get in contact with them. To make the story short, after only several months, they are serving yet another mission here in the Philippines! One interesting thing to note; however, is the fact that their mission as mission president and wife is only for two years instead of the normal three. President Hiatt said that President Eyring (first counselor of the church) gave him no explanation other than that was the time the Lord called him to serve. The Hiatts are like most individuals from Idaho; they are very simple, humble and kind. In result, I am happy to say that the transition to having a new mission president shouldn't be as hard as I thought it was going to be.
This last week, I had a couple of other experiences that I would like to share as well. One has to do with a seemingly extraordinarily prepared new investigator, Jesus Garcia. This last week, as Elder Madronio and I were walking from one appointment to another, a man who was sitting along the path told us "Good afternoon". We of course recognized that as a great opportunity to contact him, and we did so. He said he was interested in our message, and led us to his home where we taught him the first lesson. After doing so, I pulled out a Restoration pamphlet for him to read before our next lesson. However, he told said he did not need one. When I inquired him as to why that was the case, he promptly went into his home. After a couple of seconds, he emerged out of his home with a weathered and obviously read Restoration pamphlet in his hand. He explained that the pamphlet had been given to his niece years ago and that he himself has been reading out of it almost every night for quite some time. Brother Garcia told us that he knew everything in the pamphlet was true and accepted the invitation to be baptized with great joy.
My companion and I were once again blown away as we felt the hand of the Lord in our work. I could not help but remember the words the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith regarding missionary work who said "whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left..."(D&C 84:88). In this occurrence regarding Brother Garcia, the Lord manifested this to be true to me once again. I am indeed very grateful for this opportunity that I have to serve and work hand-in-hand with the Lord in His work.
Have a great week everybody!
Love,
Elder Pulley
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