Week of January 2, 2017

Dear friends and family,

Happy New Year! I cannot believe it is 2017! Time certainly does go by fast! This last week was absolutely amazing and held so many lessons that I can't wait to share!

Perhaps the best thing that happened this last week is that Elder Kane and I were able to go on exchanges on Friday!! It was the first time that we have ever taught real investigators before and it was awesome! It was really nice as well to see the improvement that has taken place in the both of us since we started the mission. As I recognized how we have both improved in our teaching, language, etc. it occurred to me that the change and improvement that has taken place is nothing short of a miracle. It is wonderful how the Lord consecrates His servants as they humbly serve Him.

On Saturday, among other things, Elder Saez and I went to a baptism in Alicia (a closely related city) and it ended up being cancelled unfortunately. However, as we both waited out in front of the church for the awaited baptism, I met a remarkable Tatay who I will never forget. The Tatay I met has been a member of the church for quite some time, and attends all of the Sunday meetings, baptisms, and other additional meetings as well. He is one of the most active members in his ward and is a great example to all, that being because he has no use of his legs and limited use of his arms. Moreover, it is easy to identify that he is like most individuals here, living in very humble circumstances and not leaving much financial room to receive any help. So, to get to church from his faraway home, he commutes on a custom made bicycle that some other members made for him and is reported to be there on the hottest of Sundays as well as the wettest. He is truly a witness to all that our circumstances, even if slightly unfortunate, should never be an excuse to not do what we know to be right. It would have been very easy for the man I met to make excuses and simply stay home. However, because he made the decision to do otherwise, he is living up to his full potential and is a great light to all.

As I have pondered over the remarkable individual I met and the arrival of the new year, it occurred to me just how often we as individuals don't meet our full potential, chiefly because we cheat ourselves into believing that our circumstances allow otherwise. Therefore, my invitation for us all is make the goal of achieving our best selves (just as the Tatay I mentioned has) this New Year's through obedience. As we make goals, set plans, and then follow them throughout this new year to be better disciples, I know we will come to know the truthfulness of a statement found in the 28th chapter of Proverbs, that being that "where there is no vision, [we] perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he" (Proverbs 29:18). In other words, as we have the vision to lift ourselves to a higher plane of living, and be diligent in attaining it, we will all become truly "happy."

Well, everything is still going great! I will tell you all more next week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of December 26, 2016 (Includes Christmas)

Dear friends and family,

These last few weeks have been incredibly eventful and wonderful! They have included many dinner appointments both for my birthday and Christmas, Christmas parties and conferences, etc. Perhaps the most noteworthy thing that happened though was on Christmas when I was able to skype home! It was absolutely a pleasure to be able to talk to everyone at home and see that everyone is still doing well! That made Christmas day for sure, as did dinner with President and Sister Hiatt, all of the senior couples, and Cauayan missionaries in the evening. I have come to feel that the missionaries that I serve with are family as we have worked together here.

As we approached Christmas and now have surpassed it, I have been doing quite a bit of studying in regards to Christ's birth. As I did so, I was reminded of the story of Samuel, a Lamanite prophet in the Book of Mormon who ventured into the non-believing Nephite nation to declare the upcoming birth of the Savior. Considering the fact that Samuel and those he taught lived in ancient America, it would be extraordinarily difficult to know of the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. However, "he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God...and behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day...and [moreover] there shall a new star arise..." (Heleman 14: 2-5). 

As I pondered over the prophecy of Samuel and the fulfillment of it, I pondered over the heavenly signs that were given as a manifestation of His birth and made a remarkable conclusion. I feel that it was no coincidence that the two signs that were shown were manifestations of light. For indeed, as Christ indicated Himself, "[He is] the light of the world..(John 8:12). It is seems most appropriate that light would manifest the reality of His faraway birth as He Himself was the personification of it. Just as a world without light would leave us without peace, comfort, or really any way of living, so we would be spiritually if He had never come. I am more grateful that I can express that He was willing to descend from His heavenly home to be born to humble parents, and be laid inside of a humble and stony manger. Because He did, we all have the hope and promise of eternal life if we just simply follow His example.

We must never forget however what Jesus mentioned in His sermon on the Mount, that being that "we [in addition to him] are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13). Although Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of all light and truth, we can act as the moon does on a bright and starry night, reflecting the ultimate source of light through our righteous and humble desires to be like Him.

I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you all have a wonderful new year! I appreciate and feel the strength of all of your love and prayers on my behalf. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Cauayan Zone Conference 

Ward Christmas Party

Elders Vane, Pulley, Graham, and Saez

Week in Review December 12, 2016

Dear friends and family,

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

Week of November 28, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This last week was very busy but full of many blessings! On Tuesday, Elder Saez and I had the opportunity to go to Tuguegarao for district meeting (about a three hours drive) and it was amazing! Not only was the district meeting one of the best that I have attended in a while, I saw a member from my first area there that I haven't seen in a long time, Bishop Anggoy. It is interesting that even though I have not been assigned in Tuguegarao now for quite a long time, I still have a great love for the area and it feels like going home when I go there.

One of the highlights of the week though, among teaching training to new missionaries, was the surprise Thanksgiving dinner that the senior couples put on for us here in Cauayan. We had some of the best food I have tasted in a really, really long time and I know a lot of money and time must have been spent in preparing it.

The best part of the week though was on Saturday, where on of our investigators was baptized! The name of the investigator is Rey J., and although he was already a progressing investigator when I arrived in the area, it has been nice to see how much he has changed just in the short time I have been here. Now, he and his recently re-activated wife are preparing to take their little family into the temple, and be married for eternity. There is no better feeling than helping complete a family in the church.

Throughout the course of this last week, I made a mistake that perhaps many of us make when we are really busy. It seems even more so now than ever that with being so busy, that it is sometimes easy to look over the blessings that are right in front of us. This morning, as I was pondering over all of the things that I need to do, I could not help but feel a little troubled. I felt that there was something spiritually wrong and I couldn't find out what it was. After prayer though, the Spirit reminded me to not just focus on all of the unfinished tasks ahead of me, but to remember to be grateful for all of the wonderful things I have been able to accomplish with the help of God. As I thought of all of the wonderful things that have happened in my life this last week, the feeling of stress was replaced with joy. Although Thanksgiving may be an occasion once a year, I have learned that it should be a thing practiced within ourselves every day.

Have a great week everybody!

Elder Pulley

Elders Saez and Pulley

Rey J. Family Baptism Photo

Elders Saez, Pulley, Vane and Graham with School Children

Thanksgiving Dinner

Elder Saez singing

November 21, 2016

Dear friends and family,

I am happy to say I have had yet another great and busy week! My companion and I had the opportunity to conduct exchanges this last week on both Wednesday and Friday, and it was awesome. It has been such a privilege to get to know such wonderful people while on my mission. 

Last Wednesday for example, Elder Antenorcruz (my companion at the beginning of the month who transferred) came to Cauayan for an English test. At the time he came into the office, Elder Saez and I were really focused on an assignment we had on the computer, but the second I heard Elder Antenorcruz's voice, I jumped up to greet him. As I talked with him, and heard how well he is doing in his new (and last) area I could not help but think of Alma's reunion with his friends in the Book of Mormon in which "Alma did rejoice exceedingly...[when] he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla" (Alma 17:1-2).

I have come to realize throughout the course of the mission that you don't appreciate just how great an individual is until they (or you) leave. I have learned that rather than wait until it is too late to thank those who are around you for the influence they have in your life, that it is better to start early. As Thanksgiving day now approaches, I would like to thank all of you, particularly my family, for all of the wonderful influences you have had in my life. As I have pondered over the blessings of my life, I have been drawn to my knees as I have thought of all the Lord has given me. It is indeed a wonderful privilege to serve a mission, and to have all of the support that I do. 

As I write this note, I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures which reads: "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 78:19). I know as we analyze our lives this week and all of the blessings we have received, that we will not help but be filled with joy. And, as my recent experiences have proved, this process in itself will bring even more blessings.

Have a great week and Thanksgiving everyone!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of November 14, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This last week has been full of wonderful experiences as I have adjusted to my new calling as an assistant and have begun to work more fully in my new area. As I ponder over this last week, I think I would like to share a special experience I've had this last week in regards to my new calling as an assistant. 

As my senior companion left last Monday, the realization of the calling I have received began to set in. As it did, so did quite a bit of introspection as I considered my many weaknesses in comparison to the very large task that has been set in front of me.  I have felt particularly inadequate as I have considered my comparatively young age in the mission to many others that could be serving in this position. I felt much like Enoch did when he was called into his ministry  being "but a lad, and...slow of speech" (Moses 6:31). However, after much pondering and consideration, I decided to ask the Lord why he chose me to fulfill this calling when so many others seem to be more qualified. It was then I received an extraordinary spiritual experience in which the Lord made it very clear to me that He had chosen me and that I just needed to "have faith in [Him]." After that experience, all of my anxiety and feeling of inadequacy has left, and now I am left with peace and a great excitement as I go about my new task.

I have come to realize even more so throughout the mission that the Lord does not choose His servants the way a man would. Perhaps we all may find ourselves in a calling at some time or another where we feel very much like Enoch and Moses, inadequate and uncomfortable. However, I have come to know  even more so this last week that we must  follow the example of Ammon, and not necessarily "boast in [our] own strength...[for indeed we] are weak" but we can have faith in our God, "for in his strength [we] can do all things" (Alma 26:11-12). As a missionary, it has been ever more easy to be reminded of my many weaknesses, but it has been in these times that I have felt most weak that I have felt that hand of the Lord ever stronger in my life. I have taken great comfort to the knowledge that if we "have faith in [Him], then will [He] make weak things become strong unto [us]." (Ether 12:27).

In terms of the work, everything is going great and we have been seeing miracles every day. And, we have some baptisms coming up! I will tell you more about that next week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Elder Pulley and Elder Saez

Week of November 7, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This last week has been one that I will never forget! I had the wonderful opportunity to see and receive instruction from Elder Schmutz every day that he was here in Cauayan (5 days), and I will most definitely not forget all of the great instruction I received.

As I ponder over the wonderful things I learned this last week from Elder Schmutz that I can share with you, my mind is drawn to one particularly inspirational lesson I beheld in our Missionary Leadership Council. In the council of which I mentioned, Elder Schmutz taught about a fundamental portion of the Plan of Salvation, that being our life before birth. Although many individuals mistakenly think that our lives began as we emerged into the world as little infants, that is not so. For as the Lord declared to the prophet Jeremiah, so he does to us, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee" (Jeremiah 1:5).  As Elder Schmutz taught, although it may be true that our physical lives began on our birth date, our spirits are much older, and before our life on earth we were all privileged to "receive [our] first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth..." and live in this time (D&C 138:56).  

As Elder Schmutz referred to the preparation that we received in the presence of our Heavenly Father before birth, he said something that will stick with me forever. He said that in our life before earth, we promised the Lord that we would do certain things while we are here on earth and that "we will be held accountable for the promises we made to our Heavenly Father in our life before earth." As Elder Schmutz indicated, there are things we told and promised God we would do while we are here, and in order to receive the glory we desire in the world after this, we must fulfill the promises we have made. 

As we have obviously forgotten about the promises we made with our Heavenly Father before life, I naturally had a question come to my mind which I posed to Elder Schmutz. I asked him, "How can we know if we are fulfilling the promises we made to God before birth?" and he said that I had a "great question with an easy answer." Elder Schmutz told me that in order to fulfill our God-given purposes in this life, all that we need to do is be obedient. If we are obedient to the Lord, he indicated that the He will place all of the opportunities in front of us that we need in order to be successful both in our eyes and in the eyes of the Lord. Never before has obedience to God's commandments seemed more important to me than at this time.

The Spirit I felt this whole last week was something extraordinary. After one particular portion of instruction, I felt more happy than I have in quite a long time. As I approached Elder Schmutz to thank him for the words he had spoke, it was hard not to cry out of joy. I have no doubt the he, and the other leaders of our church are men of God.

In terms of work, we didn't have too much of an opportunity to teach much, but we have some wonderful investigators that are progressing wonderfully. I will tell you more about them in future weeks. And, just as news, one of my companions was transferred to another area earlier today, so I only have one companion again!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Elder Schmutz Teaching Mission President ant Assistant to the Presidents

Elder Schmutz with Mission President and Assistant to the Presidents

Emergency Transfer Day - missionaries can return to areas affected by Typhoon
Elder Antenocruz (AP Companion to Elder Pulley) transferred back to field for
last month of mission.  Elder Pulley now only has one companion