I apologize that I didn't write last week! Things were pretty busy and I didn't have the time! I promise that it won't happen again! haha
These last couple of weeks have been very busy as I have said goodbye to President and Sister Rahlf, gone on splits with other Elders in my area, gone to other areas, etc. Everything is going great though, and I will meet my new president, President Hiatt, this next Thursday in zone conference. Although I must admit that it is difficult to see President and Sister Rahlf go, I am excited to meet President Hiatt!
This last week, I have done some thinking about my mission thus far, and what I have learned in the process. Although I have learned more than I can say, the thing that stands out the most to me is the new perspective that I have gained the last several months as I have lived in the Philippines.
I must tell you that when I first arrived her, I was a little surprised as to how much attention I get for being an American. I can walk down one street and hear "Jo" or "Amerikano" about 40 times! I promise this is not an exaggeration! haha Moreover, in conversation, almost every person asks me what it is like living in America and expresses their desire to move there. I did not realize until I came into the Philippines how much America still stands out among much of the other countries in the world. Even today, our country stands as a beacon of opportunity and equality. I actually see more shirts and stickers here about America than I see at home!
I think the thing I am most thankful for as an American is the accessibility we have to quality education. It has pained me as I have seen many children, even ten and under, lose their ability to be educated due to a lack of money. It is not too uncommon for a young child to be forced to work in order for his family to have food to eat. As I have met children like this, and adults for that matter as well, I have tried to imagine a world where letters on a page are foreign characters, and a world in which even the ability to write has no place. It is nearly impossible to do so.
I have never felt as blessed as I do now. We as Americans often ignorantly dismiss so many of our blessings as just being part of daily life. The words of Jesus, who said, "of whomsoever much is given shall much be required" has never brought more of a feeling of responsibility as it does today (Luke 12:48).
We as Americans must never forget how truly blessed we are. It is our privilege and obligation to willingly "impart of the substance [we] have one to another" ,including those of other countries (Mosiah 4:21).
I believe the promise the Lord made to the prophet Nephi regarding North America still stands true, this promise being that "inasmuch as [we] shall keep [God's] commandments, [we] shall prosper...[in the] land of promise" (1 Nephi 2:20).
I know that if we thank God for our blessings, use them to the best of our ability to help others, and serve the Lord, we will ever continue to be blessed in our promised land. I am thankful to be an American, and I am immensely grateful to have this opportunity to serve in this country of the Philippines, of which I dearly love. Happy Independence Day!
Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Pulley
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