First, I have some big news to tell you! My landlord just installed a shower-head in my bathroom on Saturday, meaning that I have an official shower! These past few days I have had some of my first showers since I have been in the Philippines! It is funny how much you come to appreciate the little things when you have a more simple lifestyle.
Well, this last week was busy as usual, and had some ups and downs. For those of you who don't know, Nanay Betty has been traveling to and from Manila recently as her daughter, who lives in Manila, has a goiter in her throat and is awaiting surgery. On Wednesday however, after being in Manila for another few weeks, I saw Nanay Betty at a small store in Baluarte. She said she had just arrived from Manila, and was buying some food to eat. I of course asked her when we could teach her, and was surprised when she said that we couldn't go over to her house and didn't particularly elaborate as to why. I honestly thought that she was no longer interested, and I have to admit that I was pretty crushed. However, to my surprise, Nanay went to church on Sunday and told us why we couldn't teach her. It turns out that the home she lives in is actually the home of her son, who is Buddhist and currently lives in another part of the country. Apparently, her son found out that there were Mormon missionaries entering his home and wasn't too happy about it. Long story short, Nanay Betty is still as awesome as ever, and when she is here, we will just teach her at her next door neighbor's house, who conveniently is a member of the church. I hope that Nanay's daughter will have a successful surgery so that Nanay can return long-term and be taught regularly.
This last week and in my whole stay here in Baluarte, I have also done quite a bit of work with less actives in the ward. As it turns out, there are over 500 individuals on the ward directory, while at one point, the sacrament meeting attendance was 64. Needless to say, there is a great opportunity here to help individuals return to the church. That being said, I have done quite a bit of pondering in regards to endurance in the gospel throughout the last few months.Many members have stopped going to church because it is too hard, or simply because they feel they are simply too busy with other things. However, I have come to feel that endurance in living gospel principles is perhaps the most important step in the gospel. As the word "endure" itself connotes some form of difficulty, so it is; however, I have come to love the words of Nephi who said that " [we] must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ...and endure to the to the end" our blessing being that '[we] shall have eternal life" ( 2 Nephi 31:20). As I always say to those I am privileged to teach, although it may not be easy to live the standards of God in a world where it is increasingly difficult to do so, our reward " is the greatest of all gifts of God" being eternal life, or living in the presence of of God forever after mortality (D&C 14:7).
I like a comparison I once read from President Monson who said our existence as individuals can be compared to a long rope for which either side can't be seen due to its extraordinary length. In the middle of this imaginary rope is a string which is wrapped around the width of the rope. According to President Monson, the left side of the rope can be compared to our pre-mortal existence while the rope on the right side stretching infinitely can be compared to our life after earth. However, the single piece of string in the middle represents our infinitesimally small existence we have on earth, which due to our endurance or lack thereof makes all the difference as to what we will become in the eternities. With this new understanding, helping less-actives return to church has become ever more important to me as a missionary and hope that all can find it within themselves to keep pushing forward.
Anyway, I hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder Pulley
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