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
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| Elder Vicente and Elder Pulley - August 2015 |
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| Elder Pulley and Elder Vicente - March 2017 |
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