Week of June 20, 2016

Dear family and friends,

I am running a little low on time today so I my email this week may be a little short! This last week had its share of highs and lows, but it ended up being great! Last Thursday, I had specialized training with President and Sister Rahlf, which was the last time I will see them here in the mission. They taught about the infinite spectrum of the Atonement, and after which shared great advice as to how to become successful as a missionary and as an individual after the mission as well. I learned much, and as I have said before, I will miss the two of them quite a bit when they leave on the thirtieth of this month.

This last week, I had a few disappointments in terms of investigators but I learned a lot from these experiences. Nelson, a highly progressing investigator is unfortunately not married to his spouse. And, his spouse is married to her previous husband. In the United States, this would not be a problem as she could just divorce and remarry Nelson in order to obey the law of chastity. However, there is no divorce in the Philippines, as in it is not legally possible to divorce your spouse. There is though something called an legal annulment, after 5 years of living with another individual, unfortunately though, as Nelson has only been with his partner for 2 years, he has to wait three more years in order to qualify for baptism. Another highly investigator also recently told us that we can no longer teach her, as her husband (an angry drunk) will not allow it.

With these unfortunate occurrences, I must admit that I felt a little discouraged. After working with individuals and acquiring love for them, it is hard for something like this to happen. However, on Sunday I decided to fast to receive the comfort and desire that I need to continue to press forward and become a successful missionary. Fasting is not easy, especially here where it is so hot, but the blessings are definitely there. Shortly after my fast, I felt my spirit become re-energized, and I was comforted knowing that the Lord loves my investigators more than I do and that He will take care of them.

In regards to fasting (meaning refraining from food and drink for 24 hours), I have always been particularly inspired by the testimony of Alma the younger (a great prophet found in the Book of Mormon) to individuals living in the city of Zarehemla, a large city in ancient America. Alma told those individuals that he had received such an extraordinary testimony because he had "fasted and prayed many days that [he] might know of [those] things [for] [him]self", having received a "manifest[ation]...by His Spirit." (Alma 5:46). 

I have always found this testimony to be so remarkable. Alma had seen angels multiple times both before and during his ministry. However, it was not those angelic manifestations that stood as a basis of his testimony. Rather, it was his fasting and praying that led to such a strong testimony of the gospel, and ultimately his success. Similarly, if we want to progress spiritually and become a man like Alma, an extraordinary prophet, we can through humble prayer and fasting. 

I have acquired a strong testimony of fasting while here on the mission. Just as I received divine help through my fast this last week, thus it has been many times through the course of my ten months as a missionary. My challenge to all this week is to find the time to feed yourselves spiritually through the omission of those things that feed us physically. Doing so will leave us invigorated, and ready to take on life's troubles head-on.

And Happy Fathers' Day! I am so thankful for my wonderful father and all of the great father figures I have had in my life. 

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Note: Tie Cutting Ceremony is usually when missionary goes home; however, President and Sister Rahlf are returning home.

President Rahlf & Elder Pulley

President and Sister Rahlf with Elder Pulley

Week of June 13, 2016

Dear friends and family,

Last week went by really fast and was very eventful. For one, on Wednesday, Elder Madronio and I went up to Cauayan for our new missionary and trainers' meeting. I had the privilege of seeing many of my friends who are also training, and together we received instruction from the Rahlfs and the assistants to the president as to how to become a better trainer. Then, we had a delicious lunch! I must say that meetings have become one of my favorite things on the mission!

On Thursday, I had my first splits as a leader. When I say I had splits, that simply means that I exchanged companions for a day in order to learn from him, and for him to learn from me. As a leader, I am supposed to "show the other missionary what a great day of missionary work looks like", in the words of President Rahlf. I must say that I felt a little nervous at that task, as I haven't really felt my work and teaching is worthy of example. However, through prayer, I was prompted to pick a certain missionary to work with me, and then through much prayer we ended up having a good day together. I am happy to say that the first person we contacted was a long-time less active, and was willing to be taught. I was then shocked when our first contact after that lesson was also willing to be taught, and is now a progressing investigator! Overall, we had a great day with 8 lessons and 9 contacts. I attribute this success to my fervent prayers beforehand for help in my task that seemed too big for my skills to attain. 

With this day in mind, I have been doing a lot of thinking in regards to prayer this last week. As a missionary, I am always praying. I pray when I get up, eat, before and after every study session, before we leave, before and after every lesson, etc. Needless to say, prayer both internal and vocal have become very habitual for me. However, as I was reading in the third book of Nephi (found in the Book of Mormon) this last week, I felt a prompting of correction come over me. In chapter 13, Christ instructed His disciples in America, as He had done in Israel before his death and resurrection, to "use not vain repetitions [in prayer] as the heathens do" (3 Nephi 13:7). 

Previously, when I read this verse, I thought this simply meant that we shouldn't use the same, written out words every time we pray, as is custom in some religious institutions. However, I realized that this also applies to individuals such as myself, who has gotten in the habit of saying similar phrases and such during prayer. Perhaps, just as a fellow individual may get tired of us if we were to say the same complaints and things every time we communicated with them, so does our Heavenly Father if we do so to Him in prayer. As the circumstances of each day are different, so should our prayers to our Father in Heaven reflect this fact.

I believe if we have the humility to ask for help from God, and do so with real intent, not just out of formality, we will receive immense blessings in result. I too know it to be true, as James said that "The effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16). I am thankful for prayer, and the opportunity I have as a missionary to teach others about it. Prayer is often something we take for granted, when in fact it is the very thing we need to "come off conqueror...and escape the [influence]...of Satan" in our lives (D&C 10:5).

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of June 6, 2016

Dear friends and family,

I have once again been blessed with a week full of fun and learning! Last Monday, I received a phone call that made me more happy than any other one I have received on the mission. It was Nanay Betty, who said her doctor in Manila had traveled to Japan and wouldn't be back until the fourteenth. And, she also said that when she does go down to Manila that she has decided she will not stay there. Rather, she will return in a week or less and be baptized shortly after. I cannot express the deep gratitude that I have for this fact. I attribute this miracle to the hand of the Lord, and I can't wait to continue to help Nanay in her course to baptism and later the temple.

One thing that I have noticed about Nanay, and our other investigators who seem to have been prepared by the Lord, is that they have all known individuals who are members of the Church in the past. For Nanay Betty, and Nelson (another investigator who has gone to church the past few weeks) it was one of their parents. Nanay Betty has expressed in the past the great love her father had for the Book of Mormon, and now says how grateful she is that she has had the opportunity to read it as well. Even though her father died many years ago, his example has lived on and helped her come to know of the truthfulness of the Lord's church.

With this in mind, I have been thinking a lot recently about the power a righteous parent has on his/her children. When doing so, a scripture came to mind from one of my favorite speeches in the Book of Mormon, that speech being from the prophet King Benjamin. In a long sermon he gave to the people of his land at the end of reign as king, he directed one of his comments towards the  parents present at the sermon in saying that we as parents "must teach [our children] to walk in the ways of truth and soberness...[and] suffer that they transgress [not] the laws of God" (Mosiah 4:14-15). I wondered at one time why a king would make such a specific  comment towards parents. However, as I have had the privilege of seeing the positive effect a righteous parent can have in the life of their children, and as I now attribute the person I am today based on the example of my wonderful parents, I have realized the immense role a parent has not only in the life of their children, but in the success of society as a whole.

Indeed, I believe parenthood to be the most important calling one could receive in this life and I am very grateful for the wonderful parents that I have been blessed with. Whether my parents knew it or not, I was always watching what they were doing and learned much from doing so. I believe the old saying to be true that "The apple does not fall far from the tree." I believe that if all parents would live the lives that he/she wishes his/her children to follow, that our whole world would change one family at a time. My challenge to all this week, both parent or not, is to live the life that they want their children to live. I know as parents do so, our world will be blessed to change for good beyond measure.

Have a great week everybody!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of May 30, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This week went by really fast! It is hard to believe that I am already in the net shop emailing again! This last week Elder Madronio and I were blessed to find some more investigators who seem to have been prepared by the Lord. However, I would like to talk a little bit more about Nanay Betty this week.

 Last week, we taught Nanay Betty both about the Word of Wisdom and about tithing. She accepted both commandments with an extraordinary enthusiasm to obey. In fact, in spite of the fact that my companion and I told her that she didn't need to pay tithing until after baptism, she insisted on doing so this last Sunday! Her faith is unlike anything that I have ever seen before.

The only unfortunate thing regarding Nanay Betty is that she will be leaving today for Manila because she has a Doctor's appointment in Quezon city. Also, Nanay has a son who lives down there, and she is not sure if and when she will return, as she has been living here in Santiago by herself and wants to have some company. But, I must say that I was surprised to find out yesterday that she postponed her trip down there from last Thursday until today so that she could go to church. With actions like this,I know that no matter what happens, she will do the necessary things to "enter in by the gate" and be baptized in the Lord's church (2 Nephi 31:18). Whether that happens here or in Manila I suppose is not too important, although I must admit I was disappointed to hear that she would be leaving.

This last week, I have been thinking a lot about time. Today is my older brother's 25th birthday, marks one year since I have graduated high school, and in a few days, my older brother and his wife will celebrate their third wedding anniversary. All of these occasions seem to have just occurred yesterday. I find it interesting, even considering my young age, that it seems that as time goes by, that it does so faster as every day passes. I have heard those who are advanced in age express the same feelings and declare to me how short life truly is. As I have pondered this truth last week, I questioned myself whether I have and am using my time on earth to the fullest. While doing so, I remembered a scripture in the Book of Mormon, where a missionary named Amulek conveyed to a group of unbelievers the true purpose of our short season here on earth, being "time for men to prepare to meet God" (Alma 34:32). These few words have allowed me to put the things in my life in their place. Our time here is not as many say, to become wealthy and powerful, but instead to focus on God and prepare to return to Him.

As such, in order to live life to the fullest, we must put God and the center of our lives and not "labor for that which cannot satisfy" (2 Nephi 9:51). I have realized in the last several months of my stay in the Philippines, that when it comes right down to it, our income and what car we have sitting in our garage is relevant for this "day of life" only, while our relationship with our family and God has everlasting importance.

In such considerations I am happy to say that I feel I am currently living my life to the fullest. As I have said previously, I feel there is no better thing I could be doing and that knowledge gives me more peace than anything else. I would like to bear my testimony that I know that if we focus on what matters most in our lives, that we will sufficiently prepare to meet God, and will look back on our short period here on earth knowing that we spent our time wisely. That peace of mind in my opinion defines heaven.

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of May 23, 2016

Dear family and friends,

I am happy to say that I have been blessed with an extraordinary week! For one, things are still going very well with my new companion, Elder Madronio, and we are learning a lot together. He is doing very well, and I feel much of the time that he is teaching me! 

As I mention the last few weeks, I have been blessed to serve in a humbling situation as I serve in my new callings. And, as I indicated last week, I have been turning to the Lord a lot more for help. This week, I am happy to say that I reaped the benefits of doing so.

Last week, as my companion and I were in one of those situations again with no one to teach, I saw a group of people out in front of their house, who were celebrating a birthday. Perhaps, in most circumstances, I wouldn't have bothered to have contacted them. However, in this situation, I felt prompted by the Spirit to do so, so I did. I was surprised that two older women, especially one at the party, really desired to be taught. Betty, this particularly interested woman, said she believed everything we had shared was true, and asked us to go to her home the next day (her home being in another location in our area). As promised, we went to her home the next day and were pleasantly surprised that she had read the whole lesson one pamphlet and had prayed about our lesson the day before. She said that she kept getting this feeling that it was true. Then she said, "Look, I feel it right now!". As we did so, we saw goosebumps completely cover her body. Then, she told us, without us asking, that she would go to church on Sunday. Following that, she accepted the invitation to be baptized.

Later in the week, we visited this extraordinary woman again, and found that she had not only read our assignment in the Book of Mormon, but had read far more that what we had asked! Then, when Sunday came, she came to church as she said she would. There is one particular conversation though that occurred in church between she and the Sunday school instructor that I would like to share. It so turned out that the topic of the gospel principles class this last week was on the gift of the Holy Ghost. After the instructor taught what the feelings of the Spirit are, being "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, [etc]", she told the whole class how she had been feeling those very things every time she read the Book of Mormon and every time we visited (Galations 5:22-23). Betty continued to say that when she had seen Elder Madronio and I the other day, that she felt those very things just by seeing us walk down the street. She said she felt as if her soul desired to talk to us, and was filled with joy when she saw me turn and approach her. She then said she was even happier to find out that I spoke her language! haha. After telling this to the instructor, Betty asked him when she could be baptized to receive this great gift, the Holy Ghost, always.

Needless to say, I was blown away, and couldn't help but feel a profound appreciation for my Father in Heaven, who prepared her for us, and led us to her. I now have a renewed appreciation and testimony of the words the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith regarding missionary work in saying: "And whosoever receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before you face, I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts..." (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). Moreover, I now have an even stronger testimony of the words Sister Rahlf spoke to us many months ago in saying that we as missionaries "bear our testimonies just by walking by the street." 

It is no small miracle to me that for months now, there have been no investigators at church until last week, where there were three, one being an individual we had only taught one time. I know that as missionaries, and as disciples of Jesus Christ for that matter, that we may not be the most intellectual, strong, or talented individuals. However, as we turn our hearts to the Lord and do our best, we will become instruments in His hands. I am ever more grateful for the wonderful opportunity that has been afforded to me to serve as a missionary and experience such incredible things. I do indeed love being a missionary.

Have a great week everybody! 

Love,

Elder Pulley

Elder Pulley, Elder Madronio, and Betty

Week of May 16, 2016

Dear family and friends,

I have had another busy week here in the mission field. This last week, as many of you know, I traveled up to Cauayan for transfer day. As my fellow trainers and I waited for our trainees to arrive, we were all pretty nervous to say the least! It still seems like the other day that it was me that was arriving for my first day in the mission.

My new companion is Elder Madronio who is from Manila. He is 20 years old and is a very nice kid. However, I must admit that he speaks Tagalog so fast that I have to have him repeat himself sometimes! Haha...I think I will grow both spiritually and linguistically these next few months.

I must admit that this last week that I have felt particularly humbled as I have gone about the beginning of training this new Elder. I have felt a lot of pressure as I know that everything I do and say is setting an example for my new companion and will ultimately effect the rest of his mission in result. In addition, as I have thought of my stewardship over the Elders in my district, I have had some feelings of inadequacy, as all of the Elders in my district are older and more experienced than me. I have always kind of assumed that those in leadership knew everything they were doing and were called to be leaders because of their exemplary skills. However, it has occurred to me this week that the more responsibility one is given, the more he must turn to the Lord for help. I feel that I now rely more on divine assistance than ever before.

With this realization in mind, I have spent quite a lot of time on my knees this last week asking for strength to become a good trainer and leader. I too know, just as Ammon expressed in the Book of Mormon that "as to my strength I am weak...[but] for in His strength I can do all things" (Alma 26:12) I have felt a great strength enter into my soul as I made the time to have meaningful communication with our Father in heaven. I know that no matter how hard or seemingly daunting our tasks may be in life, that if we turn to Him, we will receive the necessary strength that we need to be successful in His all knowing eyes.

As to my investigators, all is going well! Our only challenge is that our investigators haven't been going to church....I will tell you all more about that next week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Elder Pulley and Elder Madronio (new companion)

Week in Review May 9, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This last week has been extraordinarily busy for me! Last Wednesday, I received a surprise call from one of the assistants to President Rahlf, who informed me that I have been called to train a new missionary the next few months. In result, on Thursday, I went up to Cauayan for a new trainers training, and was happy to see that two of my friends from my batch, Elder Vane and Elder Russell, have also been called to train. We received wonderful instruction there as to how to become effective trainers. However, I was once again surprised when President Rahlf asked to talk to me after the meeting and informed me that I have also been called to serve as a district leader, and to return the next day to Cauayan in order to attend the new leaders' training. For those that are not familiar with what being a district leader entails, it basically means that I will lead a few other companionships through training and teaching. Thus, I will now be teaching a group of missionaries weekly, make sure that all of their needs are met, and will be in charge of interviewing all of their baptismal candidates to ensure that they are ready to be baptized.

 Needless to say, with these two new callings, I have felt a little inadequate. On both Wednesday and Thursday, I prayed and voiced my fear to God that perhaps my new responsibilities surpass my current abilities as a missionary. It was after doing so that I received an answer in a unique way. Friday night, my companion and I stopped by a members home and had to come up with a message on the spot to share. It was then that I was prompted to share a few verses from 1 Nephi 17, where Nephi, who had no skills in shipbuilding, was commanded by the Lord to build a ship so that he and his family could travel to the promised land in America. Nephi's response to this daunting task is one that has always impressed me. Rather than questioning the Lord for commanding him to do something for which he had no skills to do, he recognized that "if God had commanded [him] to do all things [he] could do them" (1 Nephi 17:50). Nephi recognized that it does not take one of great knowledge to fulfill great tasks, but one of great faith.

 It was in this lesson I shared that I received the comfort that I needed, being reminded that "all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23).I am thankful for the Lord's answer to my prayer, and remind all that no matter what tasks are placed before us, we can follow the example of Nephi and press forward in faith knowing that the Lord will magnify our humble efforts.

And, as promised, I have a little bit to say about mothers this week as well. As a missionary, I am more thankful for my mother than I ever have been before. For one, leaving home made me realize just how much that my mom did for me when I was home. The other is that I have realized how much of what I am today stems from my mother's unwavering love to me throughout my life. No matter what I have ever needed, my mother has always been there to help me in any way she could. I can honestly say that I could not have asked for a better mother. I have often wondered what I did to deserve such an amazing individual as my mom. All that I can say is that I echo the words of Elder Holland, who said that "no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child". I will forever be grateful for mom, and all others who shape society through their incomprehensible love. Happy Mothers' Day!

Have a great week everybody!

Love,

Elder Pulley