This last week was absolutely extraordinary and I cannot wait to share it with you all! As many of you already know, last week was transfer week and as such, Elder Saez and I were extremely busy with paperwork, setting up transfer logistics, teaching new trainer and missionary meetings, and more.
On Wednesday, transfer day finally arrived, and I must say that it was a little hard. This last group of missionaries who went home consisted of many of my friends, including Elder Antenorcruz, who I miss much in their absence. After much preparation though for their departure, something happened that we did not expect. The flights coming to and from Manila from Cauayan were cancelled, meaning that our missionaries going home and coming into the mission could not do so as planned. With 17 missionaries who needed to leave, many of which having international flights the next morning, I set out to find another way for them to get home. And, in the process, I performed the first Google search I have ever done as a missionary! haha...Which was not helpful in the slightest. With Cauayan being so off the map, I could not find a single correct phone number I could call to get a bus for our missionaries. However, with much prayer, Elder Saez, President Jones (senior missionary) and I ended up finding an empty bus and driver in person. After some negotiation strategies that I learned from my mother before the mission, we got the bus and got the missionaries on their way to Manila.
Then, at three o'clock in the morning the next day, our new missionaries arrived here in Cauayan (by bus as well). I have to admit that I felt a little bad for them, as it was pouring down rain and the middle of the night. However, much to my surprise, they were all smiling and happy to have arrived in the mission. I am so excited to work with this new batch that came into the mission as they all seem to be wonderful missionaries!
Thursday night, after all of the new missionaries got their new companions, President and Sister Hiatt told us the highlight of our week, which was that Elder Evan Schmutz, a member of the area presidency, would be working with Elder Saez and I the next day in our area! To be honest, my first reaction was nervousness. However, when the time finally came, I was as happy as could be! We took Elder Schmutz to a progressing less active family, and two of our progressing investigators. All of the lessons we gave were wonderful, but perhaps the best one we gave was to our best investigator in our area, who is named A. Rodriguez. Sister Rodriguez has been looking for the truth for many years, and knows she has finally found it. It has been remarkable the last couple of months as she has progressed, reading the Book of Mormon every day, going to church, and more. Despite her extraordinary progression however, her husband has been quite an obstacle for her as he strongly dislikes spirituality in any form. He even interrupts her in the middle of her prayers! With that in mind, we took Elder Shmutz to her home and we had one of the most spiritually profound lessons I have ever had on the mission. The Spirit was so strong as Elder Schmutz taught that you couldn't help but smile out of inexplicable joy! And, through that Spirit which I mentioned, a miracle occurred that I am happy to share with you. In spite of the fact that Elder Schmutz was talking English to uneducated group of Ilocano and Tagolog speakers, they understood him perfectly. After the lesson, the Filipinos present told me that as he spoke, that somehow the words he said were translated into their own language within their mind, that they could understand all that he said. It was the first time that I had ever seen the reality of the gift of the interpretation of tongues, and it was amazing indeed.
As I now ponder over that experience and the totality of my week, I cannot help but think of the importance of the companionship of the Holy Ghost in our day to day lives. As I have gone through the course of my mission, I have come to know that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is in fact the best gift we could ever receive in this mortal life. Indeed, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance", in essence being all of the feelings we seek for in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). While many of us may mistakenly look for joy in the acquisition of money or success in other fields, the answer to the peace we search for is "not as the world giveth", but is the peace of God that we can experience in result of the companionship of the Holy Ghost (John 14:27).
I have come to believe that the influence of the Holy Ghost is not like a light switch in a dark room, in which His light is with us or not. Rather, I believe the design of the influence of the Holy Ghost can be prepared to a light dimmer. As we partake of the sacrament, read the scriptures daily, and keep the commandments of the Lord, the influence of the Holy Ghost will be increased. And just as sliding over the toggle of a light dimmer in a dark room, our lives will brightened with peace and joy. I know as we focus on the acquisition of the Holy Ghost in our lives, the path ahead of us will be brightened in such a way that we will find our ways into the kingdom of God, I am no more sure of any other thing.
Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Pulley
 |
| Elder Pulley testifying of importance of missionary work to new missionaries |
 |
| Dinner with Elder Antenorcruz |
 |
| Elder Schmutz with Elders Pulley and Saez |
No comments:
Post a Comment