Week of August 29, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This week went by so fast! I had exchanges with missionaries in my zone, had exchanges with the assistants to the president, delivered housing items to Tuguegarao (my first area in the mission) and much more. As I think about what experiences I can share with you at this time, my attention is taken to a blessing that I had the opportunity to give this last week.

One day this last week, when an elder that I was on exchanges with and myself were about to start working, I received a phone call from some sister missionaries that work in a far area of the zone. They told me that they had an investigator who has been struggling with health problems and asked if I could travel to their area in order to give a blessing. After making necessary preparations, my temporary companion and I traveled to the home of the Sisters' investigator. Upon arriving, it was evident that their investigator wasn't feeling too well. She looked pale, and didn't seem too happy as we talked. After some discussion with her, it turns out that she has been sick with headaches and such for over five months now. In spite of going to a physician multiple times now however, the doctors' examinations proved inconclusive, leaving her with nothing to do but rely on the Lord for help.

 Before proceeding to give the woman a blessing, I explained what I would do in the blessing and how the results would be according to the will of God and the strength of her faith. Then, I gave her a blessing, for which I must admit was not particularly beautiful. In spite of the fact that communication and teaching have become easy for me in Tagalog, the language used in blessings is still a little hard for me. That being said, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed in myself that my blessing was so rugged in its language. 

For the next few days, the blessing that I gave bothered me. I prayed every night and told the Lord how I felt, and asked Him to bless the woman that I blessed. After a few days though, I had the chance to see the sister missionaries again, in which I asked them how their investigator was doing. I was incredibly pleased to hear that the woman I blessed apparently has completely changed, and that her health has notably improved.

I am thankful to have learned that in regards to giving blessings, prayers, or anything of that nature, the words in which we say are not particularly important. Rather, as I have been reminded this last week, our sincerity and worthiness is what matters most when it comes to the things of God. 

In pondering this experience and those things I learned as result, I can't help but be reminded of Moses, a prophet which of course has now been acclaimed for his extraordinary leadership and greatness for thousands of years. It is interesting in talking about his great prophet though, because in spite of his extraordinary worthiness and greatness, he of himself stated "I am not eloquent...but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue"(Exodus 4:10). And in spite of the fact the Lord saw great things in Moses, indeed he had been "chosen before [he] wast born", Moses couldn't help but feel inadequate to the tasks set before him, and thought himself unworthy because of his lack of public speaking skills (Abraham 3:23). Indeed, when it comes to serving the Lord, we may often get too focused on the rudimentary details of our service, when what always counts most is our love for God and our fellow man. 

I hope you all have a great week! 

Love,

Elder Pulley

Elder Pulley & Elders that attended MTC in Provo

Pday Activity

Pday Activity

Week of August 22, 2016

Dear friends and family,

All is going well here in Cauayan! As I recall these last week's occurrences, I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for the help and protection the Lord provided me in my work. First, I wish to share a miracle that occurred yesterday in regards to a dog. As I have mentioned previously, there are certainly no lack of dogs in the Philippines, and most of them aren't too friendly. Yesterday, when my companion and I went on splits with some members, I asked one individual my fellow-shipper  (member missionary) and I taught, if I could use their restroom, located at the back of their compound. It appeared that their outdoor restroom is used by all of the homes located within that compound, so in order to go to the restroom I had to pass a few homes in the process. At one home, however, there was a closed door. Out of nowhere though, an angry dog emerged from the closed door, where my fellow-shipper and I were located. In spite of the surprise, I stayed completely calm, but put my hand down to protect my face, as he was jumping and clamping his jaws in the process. I don't know how it happened, but I managed to push the dog back with my hand and get to safety without me or my fellow-shipper even getting a scratch. All of the individuals who saw who saw the incident thought for sure that I had been hurt, but I am thankful to say that the only affect the dog had on me was sense of surprise. I know without a doubt that there were hands beyond the veil who protected me from getting hurt, and for that I am most grateful.

This last Wednesday, I had new leaders training (training for new district leaders and zone leaders) and it went quite well. It fully occurred to me, however, throughout that meeting the responsibility I have for the other missionaries in my zone, for both their temporal and spiritual needs. With that said, I have realized that I now require more help from the Lord more now than at any other time before in the mission. Not only am I responsible for my own work, but those of the other missionaries as well. As such, it also occurred to me that in order to be an effective leader in the mission that I need divine guidance, or revelation from God. In result, I have done some pondering and studying the last few days in regards to revelation and how it works. I was particularly influenced though by a couple of talks that I read from Elder David Bednar and President Russell M. Nelson, who both have spoken about this subject within the last few years. 

One thing that I have been concerned about as a missionary is if and what revelation or guidance I am receiving from the Lord. However, as Elder Bednar indicated in his message about revelation, it is not particularly important for us to know if what thoughts or actions we are doing are responses to revelation in that particular moment. Rather, my understanding is that we must focus on being worthy of such revelation, and do what we know to be right. Indeed, we don't need to know if the thought to talk to a particular individual, or call a certain friend is revelation or not. Instead, if we just listen to all good thoughts and urges that come into our mind, we will ultimately be responding to revelation, as all good things are from the Lord.

I have been very grateful for the help the Lord has given me throughout my life in directing my path. As I look back on many of the decisions I have made, it has occurred to me that many were inspired, in spite of my inclination to think otherwise. I have come to appreciate a passage in found in the New Testament, regarding a missionary named Philip. We are told in Acts 8 that Philip was was inspired to "arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza." And, in spite of the fact that Philip lacked the knowledge as to the reason he was to go in that direction, or where exactly he was to go, we are told that "he arose and went". It is in the next few verses that he finds the man the Lord was directing him to find, a "eunech" who was baptized that very day. Just as the story with Philip, when we receive revelation from the Lord to help us in our lives, He may not give us all the answers at once. However, if we prove faithful in acting on every good impression, the Lord will lead us to success and happiness one step at a time.I know with all my heart that the Lord loves each one of us. I also know that whatever direction we need from God, that if we "study it out in [our] mind, and [then] ask [Him] if it be right" that he "will cause [our] bosom to burn within [us]" and we will be directed to do those things that are right (D&C 9:8). With God on our side we can indeed never fail, no matter how large are tasks may seem.

Have a great week everybody! 

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of August 15, 2016

Dear friends and family,

I am once again happy to report that I have had another great week full of heavenly help. This last week, Elder Posadas and I have been working on enlarging our teaching pool, and were blessed with many new investigators who were willing to listen to our message. As such, this last week we taught many lessons about God and about His plan (or gospel) to our new investigators. I noticed however this last week as we taught all of these lessons that the words seemed to lose their feeling to me. I have observed that at times, even the most remarkable information if stated repeatedly, loses the effect that it once had. 

This last week though, I mentioned my concern to President Hiatt, who gave me some help in rekindling the fire of this extraordinary doctrine to me. As I truly thought and pondered about the knowledge I have of God and His love for all of us after mentioning my concern to President Hiatt, I realized that that knowledge itself is what makes the foundation of my life. I tried to imagine my world without such a knowledge, and it was extremely hard to do so. If I didn't know of God and have the faith that I do in Him, I feel I would lose all of the hope and happiness that I have in my life.

After deeply considering the importance of this simple doctrine that I have known for many years now, I wish to reiterate the knowledge I have that "we are [all] offspring of God" (Acts 17:29). With this fact, I know that the Lord knows each one of us, and loves us deeply. I also know that "he [only] doeth that which is good among the children of men...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness, and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remebereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile" (2 Nephi 26:33). Truly, all that God does is for our benefit, and His hand is always extended to all of His children. It has brought me great joy as I have been able to declare to the most simple of people that no matter how wealthy, poor, talented, or otherwise that God's concern for our well-being is equally infinite for each one of us. Although at times we may be tempted to think we aren't too important, our very DNA and lineage from an all-knowing Being declares quite the contrary.

 I feel it a great privelege at this time in my life to serve as a missionary and help the Lord extend His love to all of His children. I cannot believe though that this next week will mark one year from my departure into the mission. I must admit in saying that I don't know how I feel about that fact. A part of me doesn't believe that it is true while another part of me is frightened in thinking that my mission  is almost halfway over. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all those things I have learned while I have been on my mission. I value no time in my life more than this last year.

Anyway, I hope all is going well at home! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of August 8, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This last week has probably been the most eventful weeks of my whole mission! As you all know, this last week was transfer week. In preparation for transfer day, I had to say goodbye to all of my investigators and members in my last area, which I must admit was not particularly easy. It is hard to leave an area that you have put so much work into and that holds so many people you love. However, after I arrived in Cagayan (mission president's home) for transfer day, I was surprised to find that I would be staying right here in Cauayan!

This last week I was called to be a housing Elder, meaning that my companion and I are the zone leaders for the Cauayan district, and that we are in charge of taking housing items to all of the missionaries in the whole mission. That being said, the mission provides a truck that we are able to drive to take items to necessary places in the mission and use proselyting in our far areas. I will be honest in saying that I was a little nervous to start driving here in the Philippines, as the roadways are so much different than they are at home. However, the American assistant to the president told me to just treat driving here like I would mario cart!I have taken his advice to heart, and thankfully it hasn't been as hard driving here as I thought it would be.

My new companion is Elder Posadas, who is from Cebu. I have to say that my first few days with him have been awesome. Elder Posadas is very humble and kind and I think that our time together will go very well.

This last week I attended something called "MLC" or the missionary leadership council, which consists of all of the zone leaders, the two assistants, and the mission president and his wife. The main focus of President Hiatt's lesson had to do with the importance of repentance, and the importance of making the process of repentance known to our investigators. In result, I have done some pondering in regards to repentance the last couple of days. Before the mission, I don't think I quite understood the concept of repentance as much as I do now. Like many of us, before the mission I didn't particularly like talking about repentance because I always thought of repentance as a back-up plan for those who make a lot of mistakes. However, it has become clear to me as I have served my mission that repentance is not the back-up plan, but is the plan.

 It is inevitable that we as imperfect people will make mistakes as we go through the course of our lives. It has pained me as I as a missionary have seen so many people carrying the burden of great guilt upon their backs for things that they wish they hadn't done in the past. For people like this, and for all of us, repentance is a sweet opportunity that we have to change (repentance being just that) and experience complete forgiveness for all things we haven't done perfectly, removing the baggage of guilt from our lives.My favorite scripture regarding repentance is where the Lord himself said that "he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more" (D&C 58:42). Many individuals have asked me if this scripture is literal, and I feel it is. I know that if we use the process of repentance in our lives, just focusing on becoming better people one step at a time, the Lord will clip our transgressions out of the recording of our lives and when the day comes that we account for our life's work, we will only be privileged to report those things that we did well in life rather than the not so perfect things. I know that if we focus on becoming better people, and use the Atonement in our lives, that we will be able to become more like the Savior step by step on the staircase to heaven.

Have a good week everyone! I'll try to write my letter beforehand next week so I say more!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Scenery from previous area

Rice fields from previous area

Missionaries that were in the MTC with Elder Pulley

Elder Posadas (new companion) and Elder Pulley

Week of August 1, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This last week went quite well! However, in spite of the fact that I have so many great things I could tell you all, my letter this week will be very short, as I am transferring to another area this next Wednesday. And, my trainee, Elder Madronio, is going to train next cycle! It is crazy how fast everything in the mission is.

I must admit that I have some mixed emotions about this upcoming transfer. In spite of my hard work in this area now, I have not seen the fruits that I hoped to have seen. With this in mind, I have wondered if I could have possibly done more to serve the people here in Baluarte. However, I feel great peace knowing that I have helped plant so many seeds here and that I have been able to help some less actives return to church. 

Over the last few months that I have served in Baluarte, I have been privileged to learn so many things in result of some of the trials I have faced while here. It is easy to wonder at times why we are placed in certain circumstances, or why certain things happen in our lives when we feel we are doing our best. But, the Lord knows what is best for us and all those around us, even if we don't. I love the words of King Benjamin who exhorts us in the Book of Mormon to "believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both heaven and earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth, believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend" (Mosiah 4:9). I now have even a stronger testimony of these words, and the fact that the challenges in our lives are not made to make us unhappy, but rather opportunities from an all-knowing God to help us fulfill our purpose in life, that being to learn and become more like Him. With this in mind, I have come to appreciate all of the experiences I have had in my mission, both easy and not so easy. 

I now know more than ever that if we face the trials that come in our lives as an opportunity to step forward in eternal progression rather than just another unfortunate occurrence, that we will acquire the right perspective in this life, forging us the leverage to be happy even if our circumstances may sway us to be otherwise. 

I will have more to tell you all next week!

Love,

Elder Pulley