Week of March 27, 2017

Dear friends and family,

The last few weeks have held many wonderful opportunities to grow, and many blessings that I am excited to share with you all. Because time is short, I would like to share with you perhaps the greatest blessing the Lord has bestowed upon Elder Olsen and I recently, which was a baptism!

This last Saturday, a wonderful investigator of ours named Nanay Mylene was baptized into the church and I would like to tell you a little about her. Nanay Mylene, like many of the other individuals I have had the privilege of baptizing, is in even more humble circumstances than the average Filipino. Her family is extraordinarily poor, and lives inside of a very humble home that is not even equipped with electricity.

In spite of Nanay Mylene's humble lifestyle though, and the fact that her home is very far away from the church, she has been coming to church every week now for some months. The only reason why we actually found her is because I met her at church when she attended with her less-active parents (now returned). When I inquired as to how she is to able to fund her expensive travel to church every week, she said that she simply saves the little money she gets starting at the beginning of the week and prioritizes her going to church more than the other things she could possibly buy with her money. In her words, she knows that the Lord will give her more blessings through her obedience than she could possibly receive by spending that money on other items they stand in need of. This type of simple faith is prominent in most members of the church here, and it is refreshing to see.

As I have pondered over Nanay Mylene's circumstances, but her determination to be obedient, I couldn't help but think of something Jesus Christ said both to his apostles in the old world, and his twelve disciples on the American continent when he called them to serve missions and leave their possessions behind. He counselled them to "take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (3 Nephi 13: 31-33). Mylene most definitely has lived this counsel in her life and I hope to be able to as well.

While living in the United States has many temporal blessings attached, it is important for us to remember that as well. No matter how busy we may be at work, school, etc., if we put the Lord first he will magnify our abilities and give us strength beyond our own. I have come to realize this more greatly as I have served my mission. As we put the Lord first, everything really does work out.

Have a wonderful week! I will write more next week and send the baptism pictures as well!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of March 13, 2017

Dear friends and family,

I have once again been blessed with a wonderful week! The Lord seems to bless me with more wonderful experiences every day. As I ponder on last week's events, my mind is first drawn to the departure of President and Sister Jones earlier this morning. I am not sure how much I have mentioned them in my previous emails, but this week I would like to tell you a little bit about them.

President and Sister Jones actually met on their mission about 50 years ago while on their mission in England. President Jones served as an assistant to his mission president, and Sister Jones at that time was assigned to serve as the assistants' secretary. After President Jones left his mission he sent Sister Jones, who was still serving, a transfer slip (which was customary in their mission at that time) which told you that you were transferring, where you were to go, and who your new companion was. However, in the slip President Jones made, he indicated that he was her new companion, and put a location on the slip for them to meet after the mission in America! haha The rest is history.

President Jones studied and became a veterinarian. He eventually ran his own very respected practice and helped veterinary students by letting them shadow him in his work. While in the course of his career, he and Sister Jones raised several children (seven if I am not mistaken), served as bishop and wife twice for a combined time of about twenty years, and also served as stake president and wife for ten years.

Aside from their temporal success and service in the church, they are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. Sister Jones would often make food for other missionaries, especially my companion and I when we would work in the office, and always had something positive to say when she saw me. One thing that really impressed me about Sister Jones is how she determined to finish her mission despite her very painful ankle which needs replacement. Instead of going home for a ankle operation, which she could have very well done, she pressed forward every day and did not complain. Every time I saw her walk it was a testimony to me of her great love for the Lord and her determination to serve Him.

President Jones on the other hand is in simple terms walking wisdom. In spite of the fact he is 71 years old, he is as sharp as can be and is a man of God. He helped run the mission, and also helped President Hiatt in his responsibility of presiding over the six districts located within our mission by conducting temple recommend interviews, presiding and speaking at district conferences, etc. He imparted more wisdom unto me than I can write or express. I will forever be changed by his example especially. When President and Sister Jones left earlier, it felt like I was saying goodbye to members of my own family.

 I think one of the greatest blessings of serving a mission is all of the wonderful people the Lord blesses you to meet along the way. I feel deep gratitude in my heart for all of the wonderful people that I have been able to meet and learn from while in the course of my mission.

Other than the Jones's, my mind is also drawn to another experience that I would like to share with you. A few days ago, Elder Olsen and I were walking from our vehicle to the house of one of our investigators. As we did so, we passed by a home that I have walked by dozens of times but never particularly noticed. The house is a little off the street and has a big gated porch in the front which makes it hard to see the porch itself or inside the house. However, as we walked by the other day, I was distracted by the sound of something I did not quite recognize. When I inquired Elder Olsen what the noise was and then turned towards the house I mentioned to indicate what it was, I noticed a coughing dog chained to the gate of the porch of the home I previously mentioned. As I looked beyond the coughing dog, I saw an older man sitting on the porch. When I saw him, the Spirit made it clear to me that I needed to talk to him and I did so.

After talking to the man a little and inviting him to hear a message, Elder Olsen and I were able to sit down with him and get to know him. As it turns out, the older man's name is Alex P. Alex has suffered two or three strokes in recent years, which makes it harder for him to get around the house and support himself. Unfortunately as well, Tatay Alex's daughters and wife left him a few months ago with only 350 pesos in hand. As he shared his life's experiences and sorrows with us, it was our great privilege to declare the Lord's love for him, and His plan of happiness.

As I thought over the fact that Elder Olsen and I almost passed by him, I was grateful that the Lord had guided us to him. I could not help but chuckle thinking that the Lord led us to him by causing his dog to cough. It was just another manifestation to me that "[His] thoughts are not [our] thoughts"(Isaiah 55:8) and how "by small means the Lord can bring about great things" (1 Nephi 16:29). I will let you know how things go with Tatay Alex, but so far things are going great!

On a side note, couple of days ago I received my letter from the mission secretary that has us indicate which airport we will fly home to. It was when I received that letter that I realized how fast the time really has gone. All I can say is that the mission is the best decision I have ever made. I wish I could serve my whole life doing what I am doing now, but I know that cannot be so. I love the Lord and I feel it a great privilege to serve as His missionary at this time in my life. There is nothing else I would rather be doing.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

President and Sister Jones with Elders Pulley and Olsen

Week of March 6, 2017

Dear friends and family,

I am happy to report that I have had yet another wonderful week here in Cauayan! This last week, we had transfer day, which had a lot of the normal training activities (including training new trainers, trainees, etc.) and we had MLC on Thursday as well. However,  we ended up having more time to work in our area than the previous week, which was really nice.

In spite of the fact that this last transfer day was the smoothest I have had since I have been an assistant, I must say that it was one of the hardest that I have experienced. The reason why I say that is because my trainer, Elder Vicente, finished his mission last Wednesday and went home. Although I am excited for him to start another chapter of his life, it was difficult to see one the most influential individuals I have met in my life leave.

As I have pondered this last week about the few cycles that Elder Vicente and I spent together at the beginning of my mission, my mind has been filled with a couple of insights that I would like to share with you.

On the first day I arrived in the mission, I was as nervous as could be. It seems like it was just like yesterday I arrived at the very office I sit in now, not knowing what to expect but very excited to be a missionary. On that day, I met Elder Vicente. After the traditional transfer meeting we hold every transfer day, President Rahlf actually approached the two of us and remarked that he had a very good feeling about the two of us being together. Time proved his statement to be quite relevant.

As we left the mission home and headed towards Tuguegarao, I probably asked Elder Vicente a million questions, and all in English! As I look back and think about his behavior, it is now evident to me that he must have been very nervous on that day. He told me after a few months how inadequate he felt when he was called to train. He proved however, to be the trainer that I needed. He was there to push me to be a good missionary, and was even there to comfort me when I shed a few tears a couple of times. I will never forget him and all that I learned when he and I were together.

As I have stated in previous letters, Elder Vicente comes from very humble circumstances. He never once however, complained about the hard things he had to experience. The only reason I learned of the hardships he faced in his childhood in regards to poverty is because he mentioned it a couple of times to our struggling investigators to help them. 

The other day, as the missionaries going home had a fireside together, each of them was asked what they learned while in the course of their mission. Elder Vicente mentioned that the greatest thing he had learned was how to read. I never knew until that day that he didn't know how to read when he arrived in the mission.

Elder Vicente has taught me a lesson that will stick with me my whole life and that I wish to share with you. Most of the time, we as individuals wrongly assume that in order to be inspiring and change the lives of those around us for the better that we must be extraordinary in every way. However, as Elder Vicente himself proves, that is not true. Just being a humble individual who does his best to help others and serve God is enough. As we do our best with whatever resources and capabilities we may have, we will be happy to find that the influence we have had on the lives of others for good is beyond calculation. All we need to do is our best.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Elder Vicente and Elder Pulley - August 2015

Elder Pulley and Elder Vicente - March 2017