Christmas Day 2012

Hey Family,

        They gave us a few minutes today to email home since its christmas. We just got out of a devotional with Elder Nelson and it was awesome! We sat on the front row because I got Brother Ellis (the guy who runs the show) to save seats for my district on the very front row. But anyways, he was awesome, he spoke about the shooting in Conneticut and the power that the Saviors Atonement has to heal us. I dont think I have ever felt the spirit as strong as I did this morning. I just wanted to bear my testimony to you of the Savior. His atonement is real. He knows us and loves us. I feel that love and grow closer to him through using his atonement every day. He knows what my problems are and made it possible for me to be forgiven of my sins and change my life so that I could be here today. I love you all so much and I know that as you use the Saviors atonement in your lives, you will be able to have the spirit with you more abundently and more often. Merry Christmas everyone, I am really sorry but Christmas wont be as good without me.

Love Elder Pulsipher

December 19, 2012

December 24, 2012

December 24, 2012

I miss you all so much! Christmas will be pretty cool here, we just have devotionals all day. Im really happy you told me about Skousen because I am reading through the Isiah chapters in Nephi right now. This is the second time I've read through the Book of Mormon here and it is amazing to me how much more I am getting out of it. I am trying to go really slow and really try to apply it to my life and the lives of my investigators. That is what my companion and I have been doing for the last few days with our investigators is just reading the Book of Mormon with them and showing them how they can apply it to their lives. We ended up getting both of them baptized. I know that irt is only role playing but the spirit was still there so strong and I can feal it influencing my life more and more each day. I love it, and  then how much I am strengthening my relationship with my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I got my travel plan this last week and I am supposed to leave monday morning but I still don't know if my visa will come. I will find out today or tomorrow. Ill try to shoot some more MTC pictures home today if I can figure out how to do it. I will send home my extra sweaters and probably my alarm clock this week because I found out on the travel plans that if its over weigth, the fee's start at $300. I dont think you can pick them up here but you can call and find out. ... I am growing such a strong testimony of this gospel and of the real healing power that this atonement really has. I know that the Book of Mormon is the work of God and I know that it can guide us in our lives....

Elder Pulsipher

It is so good to hear from you, this past week has been pretty rough for me but thats not important. I did get a couple letters from family and freinds and that made me really happy. There are a couple guys in my district who rack in like ten letters everyday though. I still look forward to opening a christmas present every day and I specially loved the letter from everyone yesterday. I dont know when Ill be able to call you yet from the airport or even if I will be leaving. I got my travel plans last week but I dont know if my visa will come. Ill find out today or wednesday. I will be flying to San Francisco, then to Hong Kong, then to Manilla , and then I dont know from there but I hope my visa comes because I dont want to be transfered somewhere else. The language is going alright, but I am definatley not comfortable with it yet. It will come with time when I get there though. I have been looking at some of my teachers pictures and the Philipines is soo beautiful and the spiders are the size of rabbits there. I cant wait.I will send you some more pictures of the MTC today and hopefully I take some good Christmas ones this week. Tomorrow the schedual will be pretty easy but we just have a Christmas lunch and then a sack dinner like Thanksgiving. I am getting more exited about sharing the message of the gospel every day know though. My testimony is growing so fast here and will grow even faster when I get in the field....Elder Pulsipher 

December 17, 2012

My week went pretty good this week, but time just starts going faster and faster, I want to be the missionary that I need to be but sometimes I feel like im getting left behind. Its hard but I know I'll be OK if I trust in the Lord. I should get my travel plans this week but I dont know if my visa will be here in time for me to go with my district. That is really bothering me. I got to host the new missionaries coming in this week and it was really kind of funny because I got kind of tired of the crying after a while and would just start walking away with the missionaries bags while they stood there crying. Builds character.... I got to work in the Temple this morning because it is closed for cleaning, Its really awesome how much work they put into even the smallest things in the house of the Lord. If all goes well I should leave on January first but I have my doubts. And no, I dont get to call home from the MTC on Christmas, sorry. But the schedual on Christmas will probably be somewhat like Thanksgiving. I made friends with the executive secratary and I have been trying to get him to tell me what apostle is coming. I chipped away for a while and got him to tell me that it was someone from the first presidency, but it wasn't the prophet. I think its Uchdorf but well see. Thats cool that you found my mission presidents facebook. From the letters I am getting from him, it sounds like he is pretty strict. Like, really strict. But thats probably a good thing....Let everyone know that I love getting mail.

Love

Elder Pulsipher

December 10, 2012

.. I started the Book of Mormon when I got here and I will finish it and start it again this week. It is strengthening my testimony so much and I love it more and more, the more that I read it. ... I was called as district leader last week so we will see how that goes. I decided that what I need for Christmas from you is some pictures of my family and friends because I forgot to bring any... So if you wanted to send me some that would be awesome. ..I love all of the little christmas gifts and the little notes that go with them. Last night I opened the one about shelter and how the Temple is a place where we can be safe from the world. It was great to read before I got up at 5:30 this morning and walked to the Temple in the snow. I want you to know how much my testimony of the Book of Mormon is being strengthened and how much I can feel the Lord blessing my life for what I am doing. I am so greatful for the gift of the spirit because I know I would be a terrible teacher without it. The Lord is making the missionary that he wants me to be and I can see it...
    Elder Pulsipher

December 3, 2012

...That language is going awesome, my teacher told us last night that we were proggressing faster than any of the other districts and we could be fluent by the time we left the MTC. That would be awesome but I don't really see it. The food is getting pretty old. I will usually just get an apple and a salad for my meals because I feel like I'm getting really fat. But I love getting healthy food and my district loves eating mine too so dont hesitate to send more if you want. I wont get my travel plans until two weeks before we leave. I guess thats just how they do it. ...Another week went by and I've already been here over a month. Time is starting to fly and I am realizing how much harder I need to work evey day. I love this gospel and I am so greatful for the opprotunity that I have to be here. My testimony is strengthened every day and I learn so much. I feel like I have already learned an entire missions worth of knowledge and I know that I will only learn more and strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Father more.
...We are teaching in straight Hiligaynon now with no notes and our lessons are going really well. I just finished memorizing the First Vision yesterday and that was definitely the hardest thing I've done yet. I think it is so crazy and awesome that the spirit is there testifying no matter what language you are speaking.
... I went to the Temple this morning and as I was sitting in the celestial room the most powerful feeling of love and comfort came over me and there was no doubt in my mind that this is where I need to be right now. Its funny that you talked about the atonement because that is what I've been thinking about most of this week. I never realized just how all encompassing the atonement really is until I came here, the more I learn, the more grateful and the closer I feel to my Savior. This week was so good. On tuesday, my companion and I were teaching a Lady named Maria Theresea and while we were teaching her, I felt prompted to start talking about how the gospel blesses families and how she feels about hers. She almost started to cry and told us about all the things in that her family is struggling with. I could tell that she was feeling the spirit so strong and so was I. It was an amazing experience and my testimony was strengthened so much. I know that what we are promised in D&C 100 is real, and the spirit is there to guide us as long as we live worthy of it. ...I want you to know how much I love the Savior and I can't even comprehend how much He and our Father in heaven must love us. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I am going to work as hard as I can on my mission because I know why I am here. And I know who I represent...

Pictures from MTC

November 26, 2012

My thanksgiving was awesome, Elder Holland came and spoke and it was amazing. I tried to go into the foyer and talk to him but the security made me go back to my seat. But thats allright because I sat like 10 feet away from him. Him just being there brought the mosrt amazing spirit into the room. We sang "Come thou Fount" for the opening him and everybody was already crying by the end of that. He spoke on how blessed and favored we are of the Lord to live at this time when missionary work can actually succeed. I know that he really is an Apostle of the Lord, I have never felt such a confirmation of anything in my life. After the devo we did service for most of the day making 72 hour kits for the people in Mali. After that we had some free time and then we watched 17 Miracles that night. They had a bag of popcorn for every missionary. Wasn't quite like I make it though..... Im bummed I wasnt there for thanksgiving but we did get a turkey dinner but I just had a bowl of cereal because the line was backed up to outside the building. Kelly wrote me last week and I started crying when I read it. I was so happy to hear from her and tell her that I love her. None of my other brothers or sisters have written me accept Kristi's family. Im excited for my christmas package but I dont think I really need anything that bad. Im starting to love my district and my companion, most of them are pretty cool guys. The language is comming along really well. My companion and I are trying to talk to eachother mostly in just Hiligaynon now but its hard to teach lessons still because the sentence structure is so different..... I just want you guys to know how amazing my family is and how much I hove and miss you all. I look up to all of my brother and sisters because they have been such great examples to me. I love you, cant wait to here from you this week.

November 19, 2012

I miss you so much, I didn't know how good I had it while I was at home. I love it here though.We started teaching two new investigators this week on top of the returned missionaries that we are already teaching. I enjoy it though, its so nice to walk into a lesson feeling prepared and having the comfort that the spirit is there with you. I can feel the spirit so strong when I teach, I taught the priesthood lesson yesterday on repentance and while I was preparing I thought about how far I've come in my life... I'm so greatful that you are praying for me because I really need it. This language is really hard, the sentance structure is just wierd and I can't even pronounce most of the vocab words, but I know that if I rely on the Lord he will help me through any obstacle thats put in front of me.Im bummed that I'm gonna miss thanksgiving with you guys but mine will probably be better. On thursday we have a service project in the morning and then there is a rumor that Elder Holland is comming. And guess who is ushering... My district. I'm gonna be the one greeting him at the door. But I probably shouldn't  get my hopes up.... It will probably just be like Pres. Monson or something. I love my district though and my companion is awesome. We had a big arm wrestling tournament last night and I came out on top. ...My testimony and my faith in the Lord are growing more than I ever thought they could. I know this gospel is true and I know that this is where I should be...

          Aylong,

              Elder Pulsipher

October 12, 2012

 ...I got to go to the temple this morning and it was awesome.... My companion and I are teaching a new investigator named Bonifacio this week and for the first time we are not going to use any notes. I know that if I rely on the Lord that He will make up the difference and that the spirit will be so much stronger. One of the people that I brought through the veil at home spoke at the Fireside last night. I didnt know that he was the director of the missionary department so that was cool. Class all day is pretty rough especially because I can't work out at all...I have the best family and I miss all of you so much. I cant wait to here from you next week.

First letter...

" I really like it here, the spirit is so strong and there are so many good teachers and people. ... Hiligaynon is pretty hard but Im am learning alot really fast. I am strengthening my relationship with the Lord so much because I kbnow that Im not gonna be able to learn I without him. Its only the 6th day and my companion and I have already taught an investigator twice in Hiligaynon. The first one was crap but we are getting better. This morning was my first temple day and it was awesome. We get to go once a week on our p-days. There are two gyms here with alright equipment but imn bummed because the weights only go up to 75's. I cant wait to learn more Hiligaynon and I cant wait to get these nine weeks over with. The food is really good so ive already gained a few pounds. I love you so much and I know that you and I both will be blessed for my service. Kabalo ako nga, matuod ang ebanhelyo, kag matuod ang Libro ni Mormon. Kabalo ako nga importante gid ang Libro ni Mormon kag ang pagpasag-uli ni Jesucristo. Kabalo ako nga matuod propeta ang Joseph Smith kag Thomas S. Monson adlaw. Kabalo ako nga palnga kita sang dios kag Jesucristo. "

The delivery...

We dropped Tanner off in San Diego at 5:00 the morning of October 31, 2012. Another boy from our ward, Evan Ricks, was also leaving for his mission on the same day and the same flight (not pictured). They were able to travel together and then Evan's Aunt picked them up and delivered them to the MTC. Tanner arrived safely and this is a picture of him being greeting by his host at the MTC with his new missionary tag. (Lis's sister worked at the MTC that morning and was able to see Tanner and get this great picture for me. Thank you Jackie and Lis!) Wow, that is a good looking boy, and tall!

Tanner's Farewell

Lots of friends and family came to hear Tanner speak in sacrament meeting. Tanner did an awesome job, we are so proud of him! Thank you everyone for being there.

How to Write a Missionary (or Tanner)

While Tanner is in the MTC, you can send letters to:

Elder Tanner Pulsipher

MTC Mail Box #98

PHI-BAC 0102

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT  84604-1793

1. Emails. Most missionaries are only allowed to email immediate family, but email rules are often up to the discretion of the mission president. If a missionary is allowed to email anyone, remember they have limited time on the computer and should use it to primarily communicate with their mission president and family. However, it is perfectly acceptable for family members to forward a missionary’s family emails on to others. Dearelder.com is another online option. They offer free same-day letter delivery to the Provo MTC, and charge the cost of a stamp for all pouch mail services. Simply go to dearelder.com, select the mission and missionary, and start typing.

http://www.dearelder.com/

2. Letters. Nothing is better than a hand-written letter—especially if it includes pictures, drawings, and stories—but be disciplined in what you include. President Hinckley gives some advice when it comes to letter writing: “Missionaries love to hear from home, especially from close friends. What makes it tough to concentrate is what is contained in the letters. Write about their mission. Share personal missionary experiences you are having at home. Write about insightful things you’ve learned in the scriptures. It’s all right to write about home; just don’t dwell on it. If you are focused on his mission, he will be too.” When in doubt, err on the side of too many stamps.

3. Pouch. The pouch provides a cheap and reliable mail service to many places where receiving mail is difficult, but be warned! Sometimes, the pouch service can take a LONG TIME and any letters that do not meet the requirements will be returned. The service does not accept envelopes or packages. In order to use the pouch, you have two options: either write a postcard or write a letter on one side of a single sheet of printer paper. If using a piece of paper, fold it into thirds, fastening the top with tape and placing a stamp in the top right corner. Address the sheet to church headquarters:

Tanner Pulsipher
Philippines Bacolod Mission
P.O. Box 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150 

4. Packages. In the United States, most packages are sent to the missionary’s mission office. Packages to foreign missions are usually sent to the mission home, but the mail service outside the country is not always timely or reliable. Valuables may be stolen and cookies may get moldy. 
When in doubt about how to communicate with your missionary, feel free to contact the secretary of the mission, the MTC, or the missionary to find regulations and suggestions specific to each mission.

Set apart as an Elder

Tanner was set apart as an Elder on April 10, 2012 by his father Gary Pulsipher. His grandfather Frenchie and other family members were there to take part in this ordination.

Opening the "call"

Tanner received was called to serve in the Philippines Bacolod Mission on June 16, 2012. He was home for the weekend for fathers day, and we were all able to be with him when he opened his call from SLC.