This last week has been one of the most challenging weeks of my mission in result of the large typhoon that came through last Wednesday. As many of you know, missionaries essentially know nothing in regards to weather and news, as we have no ability to know of such things without a T.V. or smartphone. Thus, I was quite surprised this last Monday when I was informed that our mission tour with Elder Schmutz (a member of the area presidency that spoke in last General Conference) was canceled due to an incoming typhoon. Typhoons aren't all that abnormal, and I found it interesting that such a big occasion would be canceled just due to a storm.
On Tuesday though, the seriousness of the oncoming typhoon was made known to me when President Hiatt asked that Elder Vane and I help him find the 54 missionaries in Tuguegarao and Ilagan find a place to stay during the storm, as the area authorities indicated that they needed to be evacuated. And, when the storm did arrive Wednesday night as expected, it was a strong as could be. It was the most powerful storm I have ever seen, and despite the fact we live in a very nice home, I worried that our roof was going to fly off the house.
After the storm, we were without power for 5 days, and much of the area here in Cauayan still has no electricity. More strong however, was the typhoon in Tuguegarao ( the location of my first area). All of the electrical lines and poles have been destroyed, along with many homes and buildings. The government doesn't expect the electricity to return to that area for another one to three months. That being said, President Hiatt was forced to relocate all of those missionaries, and in all of the craziness of the week, that task was left to Elder Vane and I. It was no small task finding new areas for 54 missionaries to work in the next month or more, but with the help of God we were able to get the task done thankfully.
Along with the storm though has brought many lessons, and many opportunities to serve. I think the biggest thing I learned was when Elder Vane and I sat down on Saturday night to do our weekly planning. I have to admit that when I sat down for that planning with just a couple of candles to light the room, I wasn't too excited to do so. However, when I was complaining within myself, and looking at the candle, a small miracle that had escaped me was brought to my attention. Last Monday, on preparation day, I did some shopping at a large supermarket. Because I knew a storm was coming, I thought about buying some candles in case the electricity was to go out. However, when I saw that the pack of candles I wanted to buy was a little expensive, I thought against it. As I pulled my cart into the register aisle though, I saw another pack of candles left in a basket stacked next to the register. It was when I saw those candles that I felt the Spirit whisper to me that I needed to buy them and in result, I did (and to my pleasant surprise they were cheaper than the other candles I had seen).
It was at the beginning of my weekly planning that I realized how blessed I was that the Lord had placed those candles in front of me. For if He hadn't, we would have been left with insufficient candles to light our home throughout the duration of our blackout. At that realization, I felt a surge of gratitude in my heart for the candles that were available for us to use, and it was at that moment that the electricity turned back on.
At that moment that I mentioned that a scripture entered my mind which reads: "Verily, verily I say unto you, ye are little children and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you...and he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." (D&C 78: 17,19)
Perhaps we as individuals often make the same mistake that I did this last week, easily looking over great blessings the Lord has given us and instead complaining within our heart for the things we don't have. If we step back from our lives though and focus on the simple, yet great things that we take for granted, we will feel greatly blessed in our lives. And, it is in these moments that the Lord will give us even more than we currently have, "even an hundred fold, yea, more."
At this time in my mission, I am immensely grateful for all of the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me in my life. I know that all good things indeed are from Him. Although life may be hard and even test our patience at times, if we follow the counsel of the hymn Count Your Blessings, we will always be profoundly surprised at how much we have been given. There is always much to be grateful for.
Have a great week everybody!
Love,
Elder Pulley
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| Preparing for the Typhoon |
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