October 13, 2013

Hey fam,

I just uploaded some more sweet pictures into drop box and I had an awesome week and baptized the Lanojan family. It was a great experience because they have had some serious persecution and there own family has rejected them because they became "mormons". Other churches here really hate mormons. We have been teching an investigator lady and everytime we teach her pastor shows up and argues with us about the book of mormon and D&C. I am really greatful that the Lord has bless me with patience and my mission because I get pretty heated sometimes. We got to watch conference finally yesterday and it was awesome. I sent you a pictures of us sitting in the chapel because it was only missionaries... Philipinos don't always "get it". But, I loved conference and I am so pumped up for the work now. Holland and Monsons talks were definately my favorite but Elder  Bednar totally taught me how to call people to repentance when teaching the law of tithing. Other than that this week was pretty normal. We found a snake in our apartment and I met a Born Again american dude in the grocery store who I thought was pretty cool until he totally denied the existence of Joseph Smith. Oh well, love everybody. Zone conference is this week so on wednesday we will head down to Bacolod and it should be pretty crazy because it is the Maskarra festival right now which is like one of the biggest festivals in the Philippines. We will be safe. Thank you for the cash, I will definitely buy the whole fish this time. I love you guys and miss you so much and cant wait to get that package. I miss you and hope you miss me too.\

DUECES

Elder Pulsipher

September 29, 2013

Hey Family,                                                                                                                                                                                               I am sorry but I have been trying to put pictures on for the last few weeks but I just don't know why they wont download. But I finally got some in dropbox today, I just don't know why they are still files... Check it out because I think there are some cool ones. At our baptism on Saturday we found a Halo(big lizard) and caught it. The one we caught though is still a baby. They get like six feet long and live in the trees here. Other than, business as usual here in Vallehermoso. We had three kid get baptized on Saturday and this week their parents will be baptized along with the Cadorna family. But, unfortunately I might not be able to make it because I have to go to Bacolod for a fingerprinting. Something about my passport... Hopefully I can get back in time. Other than that Our area is super big so we are going to start a group in between our area and Gihulngan so that should be exciting. The food is still the same but I am getting pretty good at finding different ways to cook fish though. I really wish there was a better variety of fruit here like in my other areas. Here there are only bananas. And a lot of them... Well, my area is awesome and progressing and I am happy doing the work and learning more than I ever have. I still have to teach in church every Sunday even though they tell us that they have teachers. I gave a pretty sweet lesson on temples on sunday and realized how big of a blessing temples are in this life. I miss the temple so much and I hope that you are still taking advantage of that huge blessing of having a temple so close. Some people have to save up for months to be able to go to the temple here. I love you guys and miss you so much. And I am super excited about that package that you sent! I love this work and know its true. Keep helping the missionaries there, the help of the members is more effective that anything else in missionary work. LOve you.                                                                                                                                                                         Elder Pulsipher

September 22, 3013

Hey everyone.

This week was another doosy out here on the North Shore. Alright so its not actually that much like Hawaii but I am trying to look for the good in everything. I am glad you got to see the pics of zone conference and got to see how much weight I've gained. I think I am the only american that has put on weight in the Philippines and its ruining me. I dont know why because I only eat dried fish and rice, but I have been pretty stressed lately. Anyways, Zone conference was awesome. Its always good to have some really spiritual meetings and get to see all your friends in the mission. I am trying to upload pics of my area and stuff but my card reader is playing games with me... We did have a baptism on Saturday of a kid named Tini who is super funny. My letter my be super short today because the computer shop keeps blacking out but I love you guys and I am super excited for Christmas. Its still like a few months away but they start celebrating in like August in the Philippines. I will take some more pics of my area and my apartment and try to upload them on dropbox for you guys. I do have running water in this new place which is awesome. First time I have had it in the mission. But I am still washing clothes by hand and forgot what a dishwasher looks like. Gotta love the Philippines. Other than that I am working hard and loving  watching the gospel change peoples lives out here. Lets see, I do have one request for a Christmas package if you guys think you can handle it. I saw one missionaries family made a video for him. It was just at one of their family Christmas parties and everyone just said hi but it would be so awesome to see and here you guys again. I love you all so much and you are always in my prayers. I know that the Lord will take care of you and I am not worried at all. I hope yo don"t worry about me either. I miss you guys and cant wait to here from you all next week.

Love,

Elder Pulsipher

September 15, 2013

Hello again,

TRANSFERED! I am not gonna lie, I was pretty excited to get out of my sceond area even though it is progressing so much. I did not want to hit 1 year in my second area. You guys would all be freakin jealous if you saw my area. It is called Vallehermoso. It is one of the two area's in Negros Oriental. I think that President Lopez likes to keep me as far away from him as possible. Dad, I am sorry that you are stuck in Carlsbad because I live on the North Shore. It really does look exactly like the north shore. Well, minus the waves and all the houses are made of bamboo. The area is just one road that goes right along the beach and on the other side is just a huge mountain range. So I get to go hiking every day which is cool because I do no exercise here. If you guys can believe that. My new companion is Elder De Guzman who is another Filipino that speaks no English. He is still pretty new to the mission but he is doing pretty well. Our house id pretty old and shotty but our church is rad. The Branch is not the strongest though. We had 60 people at church on Sunday so I have some work to do here. On Sunday I taught Sunday school, gospel principles, and spoke in Sacrament while my companion conducted. That's only because our Branch Presidents wife was in labor. But I will try to take some pictures of this place for you guys. We have a baptism coming up on Saturday but what I am excited about are the two families that we are teaching. I love family baptisms. I swear I had a bunch of stuff to tell you guys but I guess I forgot it all... I do have zone conference this Thursday and because my area is so far away I have to go to bacolod and stay in a hotel Wednesday night. Hopefully I remember how to speak Ilonggo! Oh yeah, this area is pure Cebuano, like straight up deep Cebuano. And they can't understand Illonggo at all here. I don't know why there are two completely different languages only like 2 hours away from each other but I guess thats just how Filipino's do it. As for the food here...fish. Nothing else. Rice and fish every day. You guys probably think of fish like tuna, salmon, those are like whales here. The crap I eat is like this size of my finger. But, Ill survive. haha Can't wait for the next package! haha Anyways, I love you guys and I am stoked that your house is getting all pimped out. I think I forgot how to use a cell phone. Oh well. I love you guys and miss you so much. The Church is true.

Elder Pulsipher

September 1, 2013

Hello,

Man this week was really hard for me. On tuesday we had a conference with President Lopez and in my interview with him he said that there would be a lot of changes soon. Then on Wednesday during a baptismal interview, the AP's called and said that my companion would be emergency transferred on thursday. So he packed up his things and I picked up my new comp in Bacolod. My new comp is Elder Inlayo who is a Filipino from Canada so he speaks perfect english. It is nice to be able to speak english for a little while but I have a feeling that I will be transferred next week. I am kind of excited because I have been here forever. On Saturday we changed up the routine a little bit and baptized a 64 and  an 89 year old lady. It was pretty sweet. The 64 year old was a recent converts grandma and he got to baptize her! The 89 year old is someone that Elder Cano and I have been teaching for a while. The baptism was pretty funny, I baptized the 89 year old and see kind of freaked out a little bit in the water but it went well. This last weekend was the fiesta in buena vista and I took a real toll on our teaching. No one was home and there was a whole bunch of drunk people that wanted to fight me in the streets. You gotta love the Philippines. Other than that, I did get a package (the one with the shirts in it). Thank you so much and I am excited to make the brownies. But, unfortunately my new companion likes to eat a lot, and he demolished my package in about 2 days. Its all good though because I am trying to be more like Jesus.  You guys all sound so good and Carlsbad sounds way awesome. But, I still have work to do here, all the ladies in Carlsbad will just have to wait another 14 months. I love you guys so much! I will throw some more pictures in dropbox and I hope you guys do the same. Oh, and look for me on facebook because we are supposed to use facebook now t find new investigators... I love you guys and I wait wait to here from you again next week.

DUECES

Elder Pulsipher

August 4, 2013

Hey guys,

So, we thought for sure that Elder Cano would be transferring, but no... We'll be together for at least another six weeks, which is all good because we get along really well and we both love to eat(a lot). We both decided that we have been in this area for so long because we have a purpose to do here. We also decided that we have not been as obedient as we should be. So yesterday we opened our transfer with a fast and decided to be exactly obedient. If we want to bring for miracles here in the mission field then we need to live the higher standard. But, I think that goes for all of us. This last week was really good. We worked really hard and are preparing a lot of people for baptism. We had 2 baptisms on Saturday but then there was a big rain storm on Sunday so they couldn't be confirmed. We were pretty bummed. There are supposed to be 4 more huge storms here in August so that should be fun but I hope that it doesn't interfere with our work. He are preparing 5 people to be baptized on Saturday(all teenagers), but one of them has a step-dad that doesn't like mormons and will not talk to us. We are gonna go talk to him tomorrow. Hopefully we can soften his heart and resolve some of his concerns. People here think the weirdest things about mormons. They all think that we are here searching for gold and we walk around with detectors all day. Other than her, four of them for sure will be baptized on Saturday so that will be exciting. I am super excited about this transfer and I can't believe how blessed I have been in this area. I am stoked that you guys are getting in on the missionary work. That's rad that dads new best friends are the missionaries. Ward mission leader??? That would be sweet. Well in other news, my shoes are pretty beat, one pair are pretty hammered and are not gonna last much longer. The other ones are practically brand new because they hurt like crap to wear. Ill throw some pictures on dropbox for you guys to check out. Don't forget that I love getting pictures of you guys too. I want you guys to know that this gospel is true. I have seen it change lives that I thought that there was no hope for(mine included). There is nothing that will bring us more joy and true peace in this life than living its principles, and sharing that joy with others. Thank you so much for the examples that you are setting for me and I love you and miss you so much. I pray for you every day and I hope that you feel my love even though I am on the other side of the world. Keep it real. Don't forget what you represent.

Elder Pulsipher 

August 11, 2013

Hey everyone,

Its true, it is my b-day week but feels pretty much the same. I don't know what a "staycation" is but I am stoked that you guys are gonna spend some time together. I am very tired today after a couple 14 hour days of straight proselyting but I gotta say that my joy if full. Saturday and sunday last week were probably the most rewarding days of my mission as of yet. Saturday was our baptism at the beach resort here and it was pretty sweet. And then yesterday we witnessed a straight up miracle at church. WE showed up at 8:50 because we were waiting for the boat for a long time but we were surprised that so many people were already there. But then we were even more surprised when people just kept on showing up. The sacrament meeting was rad, we had 5 confirmations and a new baby blessing and then Elder Cano and I helped all of our youth to prepare a musical number. "They all sand I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and President Gayon spoke and the spirit was so strong. After church, our branch president pulled us into his office and Elder Cano and I thought that we were in trouble or something. But, he just wanted to tell us how grateful the he was for our service here and how happy he was that the branch had progressed so much while we have been here. He told us that the attendance hit 70 and that's the highest its been in almost 14 years. I cant believe how many blessings that we have received and how many miracles that I have seen here. This area and our investigators here have completely changed my perspective on missionary work. I think that growing up i the church it is hard to see the effect that the gospel has on peoples lives. My testimony of the gospel and of the Lord preparing people for it is so strong. There is no doubt that this is the Lords work and that He is at the head of it. I am so glad that I get to be a part of it right now. But anyways, what is your plan for your "staycation"? Hopefully when I get home we go on a legit "vacation"... Because I am gonna need it. My body is so tired that I wasn't sure if I was gonna be able to stand up earlier this morning. But, then I stood up and somehow it was all okay. I am sure your all probably wondering was my big plans are for my B-day. Well, I will probably have weekly planning in the morning, and then I'll go proselyte for a few hours. My neighbor raises chickens for a living and I convinced him to give me one to kill and eat on my birthday. So that should be fun. I was thinking that maybe we could all pull a Joe Dirt and on the 16th you could all look up at the moon at like 9, then I could look up at it too and we could be like connected... But then i'll realized that I am on they other side of the world so that joke went bad. But anyways I love you guys, thanks for the B-day package that you sent, I still havn't got the last one so it probably got jacked. But Ill keep you all updated. Also, happy B-day to my big sis Kelly. Hope you can get poo bear off the boat and get him to take you somewhere nice. I love you all and miss you.

DUECES

Elder Pulsipher

July 7, 2013

Hey everybody,

This week was really good and it really made up for our struggles last week. Church yesterday was amazing, 60 people came and we ran out of chairs, all of our investigators were there and less actives that haven't come to church in years. I was so happy and the spirit was so strong in our testimony meeting. We have 15 investigators right now so we are really busy and really tired... We are preparing three of them to be baptized this Saturday. I definitely have come to love the members in the ward so much here and that's good because I will probably be here for a few more months... Thank you so much Mom and Dad for your words of comfort and you are both so right. I just need to forget about myself and put my faith in the Lord. I am so happy that you are all doing so well at home and everything is rolling so smoothly. Make sure you keep Sarah close to you, high school definitely has a way with changing people..but you know that. We had a family home evening on Saturday in the middle of the jungle and it was so much fun. We played a bunch of games and every time you lost, someone would put coal on your face. It got a little out of control...i'll put some pictures in dropbox for you. As far as the language goes, I am pretty fluent in Illongo and Cebuano which feels really good, but I for sure cannot take credit for that. How fast I learned the language is probably the biggest testimony building experience I've had so far. It amazing me how much divine help and guidance has been giving to me in this work. There is no doubt that this is the Lords work. As far as the 4th of July goes, it was just another day of work here in the Philippines, wish I could have been there to spend it with you guys. I bet it was rad in Carlsbad. I am really sorry that you guys had to do some yard work, that must have sucked, but then again I wouldn't know... I am stoked that Dad is still helping Grandpa with the yards when he can. I remember whenever I would do there yards I would always start without them noticing because I loved to see the look on their faces when they came out and saw I done. Tell them that I love them and miss them so much. As far as my health goes here, I still try to eat well but its impossible to find the foods that I want to eat here. You guys know how picky I can be sometimes. But the bugs and stuff here are not that awesome, I wake up with random sores all over my body all the time and have had multiple mosquito bites get infected and nasty. Its a good thing that your sons no pansy... Man, I just realized that my birthday is coming up soon! You guys probably forgot all about it. Unfortunately I cant call home on my B-day so that sucks, I really want to talk to you all. Anyways, I love you guys so much and your all in my prayers. I am sorry that my letter was pretty lame but it will be better next week. I miss you all so much. Can't wait to here from you next week. DEUCES

Love you'

Elder Pulsipher

July 14, 2013

Hey everyone,

I can't believe I got a letter today from all my brothers and sisters!! Well, except Kristi... It meant so much to my to be able to hear from all of you and know that you are thinking about me, even if dad encouraged you to start thinking about me... I love you guys so much and its a bummer that I couldn't be there to sweat balls with you guys in Vegas. Well, bummer for you. Thanks so much your all the pictures too. Now I am just thinking about why I am the only fat, ugly one in the family. I guess every family has to have a mascot... haha I did just want to let everyone know that I am really proud of my sister Amy. That is pretty rad that she took the initiative and stood up for what she believed in that meeting. That is what we all need to be doing. We need to have the courage to stand up for the gospel and not be afraid to tell others what we know. And we need to have faith sufficient to know that we will be helped when we do. Anyways, last week was pretty good but really painful. On monday I woke up with a big sore in my arm pit that just kept getting bigger. I finally found out that it was a "pigsa", well thats what it is in Tagalog. I think its a boil in english. Ill try to put a pic of it in drop box. My companion is a pansy so I had to do surgery on it myself. I took a pretty sweet video but its definitely not appropriate to put on the internet so you"ll just have to wait. Other than that, the week was pretty standard missionary work although we did have another miracle at church on sunday. Eleven of our fifteen investigators came to church and our sunday school lesson was so awesome. The spirit was so strong there. We also had a baptism on saturday but we were pretty bummed because one of our investigators pulled out because her mom in manila doesn't want her to join the "mormon church". That's alright though, there is still time for her. The baptism was at the beach and it was pretty hard because it was low tide, we had to walk about 400 yrds out into the water because it was so shallow, at least in was quiet. Congrats Kristi on your incoming baby girl, and on selling Reno. I am glad that you are all doing so well and I know that the Lord is blessing your lives. What mom said is so true, obedience and sacrifice brings power. Lets all sacrifice a little more to help the Lord hasten His work and we will be given the Power to become great instraments in His hands. I love you guys, and miss you so much. Till next week

Much Love

Elder Pulsipher

June 23, 2013

Hello everyone,

I so happy that you guys are all done with your moves and you are all doing so well. It must be rad to finally be able to live in the carlsbad house. I would love to see some pictures of how it all turned out. Is the ward your in a bunch of rich people? Somoan missionaries are a lot of fun but they are usually pretty disobedient. There are a bunch of somoans in Bacolod but I am good friends with Elder Joseph Auga Mata-Mata (yeah thats his last name) so maybe its him. Dad, buy the 450! A 580 is way to huge and heavy. A street legal 450 looks a lot better, its a lot lighter and has more than enough power, plus that's true, I am gonna need a bike for when I go back to Idaho. To be honest I have been pretty down this week, every morning I sit on that boat going to my area and I just think about the lake and all the good times we've had on the boat. Have you sold that thing yet? I think I recall mom saying you could upgrade to a mailbu when you moved to Carlsbad but Im not gonna get into that. This week was transfer week but I didn't transfer and Im still with Elder Cano. But its all good because he is a good missionary and we get along really well. We have been super busy teaching this week but somehow we keep finding some literally insane people to teach. We had to cut a few lessons short and bail this week.  That was fun. We did have to baptisms though witch was awesome. The service is kind of hard because we have opening exercises at the church and then walk 45 minutes to the beach. Then we walk back and close at the church. But, its fun still. I am trying to teach my companion english which is hard but he is learning fast. In other news I have seriously put on some weight in this area which is not making me to happy but I am trying to focus on the work. That's what is important right now. As far as the language goes, I still struggle with Cebuano because it is so different, the words in Illongo mean the opposite in Cebuano. But its a struggle that I know I have divine help with. I think I tend to forget how much help I have here in the field. It really makes a difference to step back and count your blessings. I am so happy that I have you all behind me supporting and praying for me and I want you to know that you are always in my prayers. I just wanna say good luck to Mike and Kristi in finding a house. Hit up D&C 121-23 for a pump up. This is but a small moment... haha Well I am so grateful for all of your letters to me and I love you all so much, I cant wait to here from you next week.

Peace,

Elder Pulsipher

June 9, 2013

Hey everybody,

Thank you so much for the pictures! You all look so good, Sarah looks like she's 20 and I don't now how Amy got so hot? It was so good to be able to see all of you together and happy, keep the pictures coming please.And thanks for all the letters that everyone wrote me. A special thanks to Craig you noted that I am looking pretty "gay" lately? right... Dad, to answer your questions about the boat ride. Yes, it is a Malibu LSV 247 and he did offer to tow me. I think about wake boarding everyday because the water here is always glass except when there is a storm, but the water is pretty warm, almost hot. As for the peeps in Vegas dealing with the heat, I wish I could say I felt bad for you. I sweat from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep. My area is an oven. But I love the members and have a lot of fun with the people there.This week went so fast its crazy. But, unfortunately it was not our most progressive week. I got bit by something on my foot last week and it got pretty swollen and infected and I really had a hard time wearing shoes, but that's just life in the Philippines I guess. We have two investigators that are really progressing and understanding and I really want them to be baptized. The problem is that they are always working and they are never there when we go to their houses. Missionary work can be frustrating sometimes. In other news, I am getting pretty tired of people calling me Joe. I was about ready to nock out this teenager last week but I found my sense and now I am just trying to be more Christlike. I could definitely use some more patience so that's what I am gonna start working on. I have been thinking a lot this week about aligning our will with Gods and how much happier we would be if we could just forget ourselves and focus on doing the will of the Lord. I still have a ways to go in that area, you guys know that its rally easy for me to get distracted with my appearance and other worldly things but I am just gonna forget about what I want and go to work. That's my goal for next transfer. Mom, to answer your question about why I am so poor is because i'm I don't want to just blow that money on food, I still have a lot of fat to loose before I have to worry about starving. I have been using that money to buy things that I need and stuff to take home. Its not that bad, it's more exciting when we run out of money because we have to get creative with the stuff we eat and buy. I'm fine, don't worry. Another package already? Wow umm I guess just more of the same, fruit and nuts, beef jerkey, skip the candy, you know me:) But I do need some long black socks, mine are all shredded. All the socks here are kids sizes. Put some more pictures in the package too, that would be awesome. Well, thank you guys so much for everything, good luck with the move and keep on being the good examples for me that you are. I love you all and I know that this church is true, this gospel is the only place to find refuge from the world and help with the struggles that come in this test of life. Keep it real, Share the gospel. PEACE

ELDER PULSIPHER

June 1, 2013

Good Morning from Bacolod,

... I have been doing a lot better with the schedule but unfortunately its causing me to put on some serious weight. ha We walk all day and then come home and eat all night while we study. This week I am gonna work on temperance in all things. My companion and I get along really well but I wish he could help me a little more with the language. I have to get all my help from members and little kids. I am definitely getting more comfortable in Cebuano and can pretty much hold my own in any conversation. But, I still have so far to go to become the teacher that I want to be. I am pretty sure I'll never be fluent. But I guess that's just life, we strive every day to become better more Christlike people even though we will never be perfect. ...We had some really good and some really, well not good, teaching experiences this week but one in particular made me really frustrated. We have been teaching a less active family for a while now and on Saturday I felt impressed to share with them about the sacrament and about the Savior because they were offended because of something someone said to them. I felt like the whole lesson was totally lead by the spirit and the Dad even started crying and committed to go to Church and then just none of them showed up. Agency is a blessing and a curse sometimes. It seems like that happens every week buts the blessings and happiness of missionary work far out way the let downs. One blessing this week was a girl named Jona May got baptized. She has been one of my favorite investigators because she had such a desire to change and to be baptized. Every commitment that we gave her she did. Yesterday we taught the ten commandments and we had her read them the day before. She memorized all of them(in English) which was pretty hilarious, but I thought it was awesome and then she bore her testimony yesterday in Church too. ..I just want to let you guys know how happy I am right now here in the mission field, my testimony is strengthened everyday by these awesome people and I love the Branch that I am serving in right now too. Yesterday 58 people showed up to our little meeting house and I am sure that's the highest its been in years. ... I love you all so much and I am so grateful for your examples to me and for the letters. I am still waiting for that package but I am sure that I will be here soon. Thanks and I love you.

Elder Pulsipher

May 18, 2013

Hello everyone,

... Anyways, right now I am sitting in a nasty computer shop and there is an 80 year old man next to me playing NBA2k on the computer listening to some serious techno music. My new area is tight bight ridiculously hard!!! The house next to use is haunted and we an only teach like three lessons a day because the people are so far away from each other. There are almost no jeepneys in our area and we have no money to ride in them if there are. But, the members are all awesome as well as the investigators that we are preparing. On Saturday we have a baptism in the ocean! I am way stoked for it. Yesterday, I got to speak in church and I just decided to grow a pair and leave my notes. I pretty much pounded out a quick 10 minute talk in straight Cebuano which ill bet nobody understood. That's alight though. It will all come in good time....Sorry that my letter was so short this week but there is a serious strong here right now so we are going to go home early and fix the roof because it caves in when there is to much water. Ill try and upload some pictures real quick. I love you all and can't wait to hear from you next week. 

PEACE

Elder Pulsipher

May 26, 2013

Hello,

... I am tired struggling a little bit with this area. The work isn't bad and the Branch is awesome, I love the members and we have a  lot of progressing investigators. It is the schedule that is getting me. We prepare and leave first thing in the morning and then get home at 6 or 7. We then have to do studies and it is definitely better to study in the morning when your not tired hungry or sweating. But sometimes we will work with the other Elders or visit people that are close to our house. Later tonight we will go to a FHE in Old Escalante so that should be fun. But, I am pretty stoked because on Saturday I had my first baptism in the ocean!!! It was a big deal to me. The lady we baptized is Nanay Florencia and she is way rad. She has absolutely no money but she is so funny and so loving. She always smiles too even though she has no teeth which is rad. She has had so many insane struggles in her life and has such strong faith. But the plan of salvation is what really caught her attention. We are so blessed to have the knowledge and the ability to be with our families forever and to have temples all over the world to make that possible. I just put some pictures of Buena Vista in dropbox so check them out. ...I am so grateful for all the letters that you all have been sending me, they make me feel so good to know how much you all care even though I don't always have the time to write you back. ... Well, I am loving the Lords work and my area right now even though I struggle every day. I know that I am recieving the blessings of missionary work and I know that the Lord is watching out for you too and he is there to help you through your trials. Lets all tell our parents how much we love them this week. I love you Mom and Dad. Your the best. cge moadto mi sa marcado ron para makakoan mi yun lindot na pagkoan bisan waay gayud ko kwarta. MAHAL KITA!! I love you all so much and cant wait to hear from you next week. Peace Out from the Pinas

Elder Pulsipher

April 28, 2013

Hello everyone,

How is everyone doing? What is all the latest gossip from home? I don't know how I am gonna get people to keep writing me, I didn't even get a letter from my mom this week... Anyways, this week was really good and I got to do a lot of fun stuff, I also probably walked like 60 miles. After we had P-day in Bacolod, where I bought a new a camera which is a pretty nice Canon that only cost 150 bucks. We did a bunch of other stuff in Bacolod and we found a dunk'in donuts and Elder Sargent couldn't help but buy a dozen. But the donuts hear are definitely not the same as at home. I still have yet to find anything that is close to home here, but your letters and packages keep me going...  After we got back from Bacolod I had exchanges in Colonia Divinia which is an area way up on a mountain and i'm sorry but most of my pictures are of us walking there because the walk is about 3 hours. After exchanges, the next morning I broke my fridge so we don't have any thing cold anymore which seriously blows!!! Then on Friday we had the baptism of a lady named Andrea Piandoro. She is awesome. A couple sister missionaries gave her a book of mormon with their testimony in I a few months back and then she just started coming to church in our area. I introduced myself to her and we started talking and it turns out that she had already read the BOM twice and is working on round three right now. Her baptism and testimony was awesome an it was crazy what started from one missionary handing a book of mormon to an old lady. So that was rad and then on Saturday we had a service project at the beach. I thought that the beach would be a lot bigger temptation for me but there are no waves here and the water is pretty dirty in Old Sagay. The service project was really fun, we just cleaned the beach for a couple hours and then ate barbecued pork and rice. I know... surprise, surprise rice. But it was actually way good. It was pretty cool when the tide came up after that and there was no other way back to the town but through the water so we walked in waist deep water back to the town. I do miss the ocean. Other than that, my week was pretty normal, teaching and learning. I'm trying to improve everyday but its hard to watch time fly by and realize that I am not where I want to be. Its my six month mark and I am absolutely not fluent. I can say pretty much what I want but I have so much to learn in the language and in the gospel. But, the good part is that I have grown to love learning, I wake up excited for my studies every morning and I love reading and listening to the words of the prophets. There is so much to learn in the scriptures and I think that a lot of the time our reading is just to casual... Slow down when you read, think about the stories and the teachings, think about similar experiences in your life and about what you can do better and what the scriptures are trying to tell you from what you read. I have found that that is where my testimony is strengthened. Well, I love you guys and I am so grateful for your prayers and your support. Till next week...

Elder Pulsipher

May 12, 2013

Ahhhh!

I am so bummed that the card cut us off! I didn't even get to say happy mothers day to my mom and tell her how much I love her. Mom I miss you so much, you have done so much for me in my life and you are probably the biggest reason that I have been able to accomplish the things I have in my life. I am so grateful for your amazing example for me in every aspect of your life, your faith, your endless love and concern for your kids, your constant search for righteousness and your service in and love for the gospel, and of course for your always striving to be as fit and healthy as possible even though you are perfect just the way you are. You make me always want to be better and reach higher, I love you so much and I hope you had an awesome mothers day. 

So yeah, my week was pretty hectic. We got the transfer announcement on tuesday night and I packed my stuff and went to bacolod and met Elder Cano(filipino). We then returned to our area and found out that the apartment has no water or furniture, and on top of that our rice cooker was broken. But, that wasn't a problem because we have no food anyways. President changed our schedule in this area so we wake up, prepare, and then walk straight to port and take a boat to our area. The boat is just a tiny wooden skiff with a little motor on it. We then teach until 12, find a member to eat lunch at and then teach until 5 and go home because there are no boats after 5. If we miss the boat, we sleep at a members house in our area. My area is straight Cebuano which is gonna take a while to get used to, but my area is cool and I am loving missionary work right now. There is no better feeling than going to someones house, finding out there problem, and then helping them turn to the Lord and rely on Him to find peace and strength to overcome it. It makes it worth the walk every day. I was so stoked to talk to you guys earlier and so bummed that the card time ended. You guys all sound great and I love you so much. I can't help but feel like everyone is growing up and moving on without me in  life. But I know I have already learned things and will yet learn things that I could never experience anywhere else. I know that I was sent here for a reason, I am just working on finding that reason or that person that needs me... Anyways, I don't what to bore you with my worries, what is important that this work is real and it is moving forward under the guidance and direction of our Savior. I know that there is absolutely no way I could be learning these languages or teaching the way I am without the spirit and the help that I feel pushing me every single day. I love you all and I was so happy to here your voices There is no doubt that we have the best family in the world and I am so grateful for you support and the things you have done and the examples you have set for me to help me get here today. I love and miss you. Keep killing life and Im gonna try to turn the Buena Vista Branch of 20 people to a ward of three hundred. Keep praying for me and Ill keep you in my prayers and fasting. I love my MOM! Happy mother Day!!!!!!!

Stay Sweet, 

Elder Pulsipher

April 21, 2013

Hello Everybody,
Alright so I am a little jealous right now that Kelly ran a ragnar without me and that dad got to go to a free car show right on the water. I think the nicest car that I have seen here is probably and 85 honda civic, and the exhaust was dragging on the ground. It sounds like you guys are having a lot of fun and have a lot more coming up. I know you guys need to get away every once in a while and I am glad mom and dad get to spend some time together in Philly. Good news, my package came and the card was in it! I was so surprised because the package was ripped open when I got it. Thank you guys so much for being there and for sending that to me so fast. I am in Bacolod right now so hopefully the card works and I can replace some of the things that got jacked. This last week has been pretty crazy and has gone by really fast. There is a huge storm here right now and the wind, rain, and lightning get pretty crazy some times. My companion and I had a baptismal interview in a place called Colonia Divinia, which is the furthest place in our area, Its pretty much just a huge mountain. I will try to upload some of the pictures off Elder Solis's camera and I will have exchanges in Colonia again this week so I will take some more. That should be really fun because most of the people in the bukid(jungle) are really nice. Oh ya, earlier this week on wednesday 13 guys broke out of the jail in my area. They killed the night guards and took a bunch of guns. They still haven't found them all so the last couple days my companion has been freakin out walking home at nights. That is probably my biggest struggle right now is trying to communicate with my companion. He is a really good missionary and his Illongo is really good but he doesn't understand or speak any English and when he tries, I don't understand it... But, all in all, its a blessing because I am speaking my mission language a lot more. I am also trying to focus on picking up Cebuano too, I think I am just getting confused. But, there is no doubt that I am progressing and it is true what you said about challenges mom. That is the fastest way to learn and if we rely on the Lord. There are host of angels there to hold you up. Sometimes I go to sleep and don't think I am gonna be able to get up in the morning but some how I wake up with the energy and the drive to take on any challenge that is put in front of me. I know that that is not me, this is the Lords work and if we try, there is nothing we can not do. We had a baptism on saturday of a part member whos parents have been less active and not come to church for years. After the baptism of her son, and some encouragement on my part I got her to bear her testimony in front of everyone. She started balling immediately and her testimony really didn't even make sense, but the spirit filled the room and I know that everyone felt it. It was a really good experience for me to see firsthand that the spirit is the teacher here and not us. If we have the courage and faith to open our mouths, they will be filled, not always with the perfect words, but the spirit will manifest to the people exactly what they need to hear. Well thats about all my inspiration for this week but I love you guys and I really and so grateful for your support and the ability that I have been given to serve a mission and especially for the next package that comes. I miss you and hope that you all keep on keepin on until next week.
Much LOve,
Elder Pulsipher 

April 14, 2013

Hello everyone,

This week was rough and I am sorry but, I don't have a lot of time to write you today because our support hasn't arrived yet so my companion and I have money to email and no food and we are living off of 50 pesos for the moment. Yeah, that's 1 dollar. I was so greatful to be able to watch at least one session of conference because here, the missionaries are not allowed to attend saturday or priesthood session, and there was no jeepney sunday morning so I missed the morning session. I was still really greatful to be able to hear the prophet speak and I especially loved Elder Hollands talk. I was surprised how much time they spent talking about families and marriages. I am so greatful how much love we have for each other in our family and how close we all are. Anyways, this week went super fast. I don't know why but I felt like I struggled a lot in the language this week but I am starting to communicate with my companion a lot easier. Which is good because I finally got him to open up a little bit. On monday we had a FHE at a members house which was super fun and I ended up having to do the gundum style dance in front of everyone. It was pretty fun, I reminded me ofd the days I used to tear it up at the wedding receptions. Marcie knows what Im talking about... On tuesday we had a service project. I built a fence for a member in our ward but it wasn't exactly Shields fencing style. We cut down a bunch of bamboo and then it up into little pieces then built the fence. I tore the crap out of my hands because our tools were machetes and tree branches. They don't have shovels, saws, or hammers in the jungle. That made it pretty fun. But Mathew, you should tell your dad that i'm gonna teach him a few things when I get back... This week we also baptized the Catalan family and a kid named Aldren, Ill try to post the pictures on dropbox. I was amazing to me, to see the change that the gospel made in there lives and how grateful they were to have the blessing of the gospel and the support of the members. I think that we, a lot of the time, become accustomed the blessings that we have as members of the church. I felt really bad because after that baptism we had a party at the Catalan families house and Sister Catalan spent all of the money they had( literally, all of it) on food for us and the members because they were so grateful for what we had done for them. That meant a lot to me. Well, for some reason people keep asking me how they can receive more revelation and understand the scriptures better. To be honest it is still really hard for me, but hear are some things that I do that help me. Don't read for distance, if you don't understand, stop, reread and footnotes and cross references help a lot. What else really helps me is after every personal study, my companion and I talk about what we read and try to teach each other short lessons about it and how it applies to our lives. But most of all, I feel like I receive the most revelation when I try to apply it to other peoples lives. I know that that sounds kind of weird, but when I am with members trying to help them understand how certain scriptures apply to them, that is when I receive revelation for my own life. I know that's kind of backwards from the whole, "first seek to obtain my word, then seek to share my word". But hey, I'm trying. I feel like I am at such a lack of knowledge hear in the mission field and that is probably my biggest struggle is trying to understand the doctrine and have the spirit with me when I teach. But, it amazes me how when the spirit is there, everything seems to come out perfectly and I can see the spirit touching our investigators. I loved all of your letters and I am really sorry that I don't have time to write you all back personal letters. I am so grateful for this gospel and that my family has such great faith and is so rooted in it. Thank you so much for your prayers and I love you all and miss you all so much.

Love Elder Pulsipher

April 7, 2013

Hello Family,

This was a really good week for me, but I am jealous that you already got to watch conference. I still have to wait till next week. But good news, yesterday I finally got to baptize the mute that we have been teaching. It was actually a really awesome experience. Just for the record, my companion is not that poor. He has a pillow and sheets but he just doesn't want to use them, I don't know why. I am super jealous that you guys are still going to the beach and riding bikes and I am bummed that my whole family, except maybe Jeff is getting super ripped, I feel like I will come back and be the only fat one. Its all good though because my spiritual body is about to be shredded. But I did love the pictures and you guys should send me more. I loved all of your letters and I hope that you keep them coming even though I don't always have time to write all of you back. I had a pretty sweet experience fasting yesterday, I have a completely new appreciation for the pioneers. I opened my fast on saturday afternoon and then after church on sunday we didn't eat lunch because we had to walk straight to binaguhan(about 12 miles) with no water or food. I thought I was gonna die but it's all about the blessings. My scriptures came so I was stoked this last week and thanks for the journal too. I have actually been writing in my journal everyday even though sometimes its kind of lame what I write because I am dead tired every night. I can't really figure out why I get so tired because all we do is walk and sit. I have been trying to snag pictures on other missionaries cameras so I will load some in dropbox right now. In other news, right now we are trying to find a new apartment right now because our landlord decided to start charging us up the rear for our electricity. Last week when we got our bill I had to give him a piece of my mind and tell him that we were going to move out if he didn't get us our own meter. He is charging us triple what it should be and we are only there in morning and at night. I am so excited for May because its finally gonna be Amy's birthday! But also because I get to call home! I don't know how or when yet but here in Bacolod mission we only get to call home on mothers day and christmas. Well this month will be my one quarter mark and I can't believe that its going by this fast. It makes me kind of nervous because I know that I am not nearly as far in the language or as good of a teacher that I would like to be. But now that I have my own scriptures again hopefully I can learn pretty quick. But it definatly gives me a lot of confidence have the help of the Lord and the holy ghost with me every day. I really cant explain the strength power and comfort that I feel everyday, no matter what happens or trial that I go through here. I always have the undoubting knowledge that there are angels round about me bearing me up. I testify to what you said about worthiness and obedience, there is so much power in doing the simple things that the Lords asks us to do. But also that faith is a principle of power. If we show our faith by keep our covenants and the commandments that God gave to us then he is bound. He has no choice but to bless our lives. Mom, I love your spirit and testimony and I almost start crying every time that I read your letters. I am a little worried about the debit card in the package but I guess we will just have to wait and see. Thank you guys so much for the stuff that you are sending me, the rice is starting to get a little old but most of the other stuff is pretty good. We usually eat breakfast and lunch in the apartment and we can pretty much cook what ever we want but any kind of american food here is really expensive so I usually just have rice and sardines or tuna. Ya its pretty gross but I get by. Thats why I love your packages so much. Anyways I love you all so much and I am so grateful for the examples that you all have set for me and how much you push me to be the best missionary and the best person that I can be. Alright, I got to go, keep livin it up in the US and Ill keep trying to figure out whats going on here. I love you

Elder Pulsipher

March 25, 2012

Hello Everyone,
This week was a really good one, and it was a lot of fun. On Monday after we got back from Sagay, most of our zone walked to Tamlang and we played basketball against the police that are stationed there. We won one game and they won the other but it was pretty rad. All I can say is that Filipino basketball is a lot different than american basketball. We had a home evening at a members house after that which was really fun. This week our teaching was pretty much focused on our investigators because we had ten people who were supposed to be baptized on saturday. Unfortunatley, the family that we are teaching isn't ready yet so we moved there date. Our lessons to the mute are really fun, she cannot read or write but she can understand the signs that her sister makes so we have her translate for us. She is scheduled to be baptized on April 6th. We also had one member family that wont come to church anymore because of us. Its not really our fault but the mother always works with us and gives us refferals, but one of the neighbors started gossiping about her and the missionaries. We have had problems with the dad before but nothing big. On tuesday, he told the family that if they ever went to church again, he would kill all of them. I know it sounds kind of funny but if you met this guy, you would know how delicate this situation is. We are avoiding the area for right now. It was also Elder Garcias last week in the mission so we spent a lot of time visiting people. He went home yesterday and I am in a tri-some with the zone leaders until the transfer announcement on Wednesday night. On Saturday morning we had a baptism and when we opened the church in the morning, it was flooded. So we spent an hour or so trying to mop the water out of the church. There was also no power the entire day so there were no fans in the church. It is summer now here,so there is no rain and it is very hot, very hot... We pressed on and the baptism was good. After that we had a ward family home evening and that was really good for the members and a lot of fun. Yesterday at church was a trial for me but I got through it just fine. I walked in to priesthood and there was no teacher so I had to teach it by myself, it went OK and then I tough I was in the  clear but right as sacrament started I felt a nudge on my shoulder. It was Bishop, kindly letting me know that I was speaking. I had no preparation time so it wasn't the best but I felt that I needed to talk about missionary work and home teaching because the members and especially preisthood want to help so much but they don't have the confidence or faith to open their mouths. I talked about doctrine & covenants section 100 and then compared it to 2 nephi 32:3 about study and preparation and how if we are prepared and study and seek for the help from the Lord, our mouths would be filled. To be honest, I think that I needed the talk more than they did. I also want you to take note that I did all of this completely in a different language. Other than that highlight we pretty much just ate all week because everyone kept giving us food because Elder Garcia is going home. I probably tried about ten different kinds of fruits in the last to days that I have never heard of or seen in my life. They were all delicious, except for Dorian(it smells like crap). Thank you so much for getting all that
stuff ready to be sent so fast Mom, but before I forget, my patriarchal blessing and my priesthood line were in the bag too. I would be forever grateful is you could make small laminated ones and put them in the package. Dad, I am sorry but your Cowles mounatin story made me laugh and worry about you a little bit. You might be getting soft with out me there. Have you been working out with Jeff or something? Anyways, your story reminded me about something that happened a couple weeks ago.A drunk guy cameup to me and started asking me about why I was there and what the church was all about and stuff, as we talked for a little while, I found out that the guy had been following us. He said that he saw us walk be and it looked like we were glowing. He said that he felt like he needed to follow us and here what we had to say. Even though he was drunk, it was a really meaningful and testimony strengthening experience for me. The gospel really is the light in the darkness and we as members need to hold it up and share it. That is our responsibility and that is were we will become happy. Well,I will get my knew companion on Thursday and I cant wait to see what the Lord has in store for me. I know that this church is true and we all need the blessings of this gospel more than anything else. Plus the Lord is hastening his work which means we should probably start hastening ourselfs to prepare for what is to come. To quote my favorite bumper sticker, "Jesus is coming, look busy". I love you all so much and you are all in my prayers. I can feel all of your support and hope that you can feel my prayers and are feeling the blessings of this service. DUECES
Elder Pulsipher

March 17, 2013

Hi guys,
Just wanted to send my love from the Philippines real quick and tell you a little bit about my exciting but hectic week. So as you know my atm was stolen(not lost). I guess president didn't give you a lot of back round on what happened when he called. So, last week, right after we emailed in Bacolod we went straight to SM(the mall) to go shopping for some stuff that we needed and eat lunch. We were eating lunch inside of a place called Mang Inasal, and my back was to the rail(the rail that divides the inside of the resurant from outside) and I put my bag on the ground in between my legs. Pretty soon I felt someone grab my bag and I turned around and some dude was just bookin it. Since we were inside there was just nothing we could do, we told the cops but the police don't do crap here. My companion was sitting right in front of me but he said he didn't get a good look at the guy. The good thing though was that we were on the way to a zone conference so I had everything important in my bag. First of all my wallet(license, temple recommend, library card, atm card, but no money), then my brand new scriptures were in it, my only long sleeve white shirt, my study journal, my camera(sorry no more pictures), my usb card with all my pictures, the keys to our house, and my planner. So I was pretty bummed after that and felt pretty stupid at my zone conference with nothing. Right after that some guy ripped open the backpack of another missionary and took his glasses and some other stuff while we were walking. The thieves here are pretty insane but they target americans. So I am gonna need some new scriptures, an atm card, and a camera but I dont think you should send me them because The box will probably get broken into. I did get the last package you sent and it was broken into but I don't think that anything was taken. My favorite was the dried fruit and nut trail mix from wal-mart. I have been craving that costco fruit and nut medley ha. I think that you should send me an atm card and I will just buy the stuff here.I asked president and he said that the best way to send it is just through fedx, I also tried to get him to throw me some cash so I could buy some new scriptures but he just shut me down. I talked to other missionaries and they said They have had there parents hide the cards in bags of cereal, candy, trail mix or anything, but just make sure that the pin number is not in the same box just in case. Anyways, other than that my week was pretty awesome. The training at the mission home was awesome and I learned a ton. We also had some really good food and ice cream which was bomb. After that, on Wednesday I had exchanges with Elder Sargent again and that was a lot of fun. I am definately improving a lot with my teaching and as a missionary. My testimony is also growing so much. Yesterday we had stake conference in Sagay, it was awesome, It was a broadcast from Salt Lake and Elder Evans of the seventy, Elder Hales, and Elder Holland spoke. Elder Hollands was my favorite. He spoke about D&C 121, Joseph Smiths experience in liberty jail. He talked about how no matter our circumstances, no matter what pains, or hardships or trials that we are facing, if we choose to rely on the Lord, and turn to God, we will be supported and we can turn that trial into a lesson and a spiritual experience. I want to testify of that, even though this trial of learning a language and teaching in a foreign country isn't nearly as great as what Joseph Smith went through during his life, to say nothing of what Jesus Christ went through for us. If you choose to put your trust in God and his commandments, remain faithful and rely on the Lord, you will be strengthened to press forward and you will learn more than you ever thought you could from that trial. It is after we have done everything in our power to continue, after we have run out of resources, and we turn to the Lord, that is when we will receive revelation for our lives. I see myself grow and improve everyday and I know that I could not have done this, and could not be doing this without divine help. And I know that that help, is available to all of us.  Anyways, we have been preparing 11 people to be baptized on saturday, but its looking like only three to five will be ready by saturday. We have been really busy. I'm really sorry that I can't send any more pictures because my camera got stolen but hopefully I can get a new one soon. I learned my lesson for sure about the thieves here. All the members said that they always wear there bags no matter what any they tie them to their waists because people will rip them off you. Anyways that was pretty much the highlights of my week and I am really sorry I wasn't more careful with my bag. But, the work will go on either way, I am sure that that guy needed it more than I do and hopefully he decides to open up my scriptures. Well, I love you all so much and I am so grateful for all your support and your prayers. I pray for all of you everyday and Dad, especially for your eye. I know that it will heal in time. I love you all, please let me know what how you decide to send the card so that I can have the couples look out for it. Thank you so much for the package with the nuts, candy, and cherry sours, they definatley made my day and did not last long. I love you all, the church is true and the work is progressing. The Lord really is hastening his work.
Love,
Elder Pulsipher

March 10, 2013

Hi,
This week was really good and it went super fast. I am in Bacolod right now and will be for a couple days for our zone conference. This week, I learned a lot. I had exchanges with both of my zone leaders and they are both great teachers and helped me a lot. The language struggle is starting to just become a norm and I am just going to let it come in its own time. This week was really hard because we had a lot of problems with members and some of our investigators. On thursday, we ere told by one family of investigators that we have been teaching for weeks that they don't believe and they don't want to take they lessons anymore. It made me feel really bad but hopefully we planted the seed for the gospel to bless their lives later on. Their was also a big problem in our ward when one members carabaw ate another members tubo(corn field), the lady with the corn field blew the situation way out of proportion and said some really bad things(like really bad) and then took the conflict to the barangay captain. That caused some serios tension at church yesterday. Then some ladies started some cotcho cotcho(gossip) that my companion and I were getting a little to close to a member in our ward that likes to work with us. Her husband got super mad and we had to do some serious damage control last night. Other than that the week went really good and I learned a ton. I bought a little usb radio and my companion has a bunch of talks that we have been listening to that are really inspiring. Mom, I am so grateful for you and your experiences and scriptures that you share with me. It means so much to know that I have all of your support and love and I feel it every day. Dad, I know that your eye is struggling but I also know that there is nobody that is as strong and has the will to continue that you do. I am so grateful for the example that you set for me by pressing forward even through your struggles. I pray for you every day and I know that you will make a full recovery. Have you all started making any plans for the move to Carlsbad or have you changed your minds again? I know it would be hard right now if dads not at his best. It is so good to see the blessings that are coming to you and how much your are progressing while I am gone. Kelly and Mom are getting ripped and Mom is recieving endless revalation, Mike is winning races and him and Kristi are getting ripped too, Matt got a job and I am sure he is doing great, Amy is ruling Las Vegas and Sarah is ruling White Hills, and dad is being giving the power and will to continue and provide for the family he loves even through this trial. I want you all to know how much this experience means to me, as I look back at the short 4 months that I have been out, I can see how much I have grown, I can feel the spirit with me so much more abundantly and I am starting to realize what it means to have Christlike love and care for people and their salvation. I love you all so much and I am really sorry that I don't have any pictures for you this week. I miss you all so much. Keep on keepin on....
Elder Pulsipher

March 23, 2013

Hello Everyone,

Just wanna let you all know that I love you and I have been thinking about you. I just found out that I can look at the pictures that you upload to dropbox too(mom). So take more pictures!!! This week was really hard but the last few days have been really good. On Monday is when I took all those pictures on top of the big rock. That was at a kid in our wards birthday. At the birthday I ate some bad lugaw(it's just kind of a mix of a bunch of crap) and I got really really sick for three days and lost ten pounds. I am pretty sure I almost died but the Lord wants me to keep working so I will. I feel really bad for dad's eye. My prayers have been for you dad and I fasted for your eye yesterday. I know that you will recover and be even more bad-A than you were before. As far as language goes I feel like my understanding is improving, slowly but surely. As for my speaking, that will come with time. We had a meeting in bacolod on Wednesday and President told the trainers to have the trainees start doing all the teaching. or as much as possible. He just said"let them struggle". So, hopefully I have a good last couple weeks of training before our next transfer. The last transfer was two weeks ago but when you are trained now, you have to be trained for two transfers. My companion leaves on the 24th and that is like 6 days before the transfer ends so I don't know what president is gonna do with me yet. I feel really bad because people keep writing me letters but it's really hard for me to send letters from here, but I am working on it so don't worry they are coming. Whoever was fasting for me yesterday, I really could feel it and I am so grateful that you did. I was sitting in sacrament meeting yesterday listening to testimonies and all of the sudden, I just felt the spirit super strong, like I almost started crying in the middle of church for no reason. I felt the same way for the rest of the day and I didn't know why. Church was also awesome yesterday because 168 people came and thats the record for all the wards in our stake. I am nervous that after my comp leaves that I will loose all of the people we have brought back. But anyways, just wanted to let you all know that I love you and I feel your prayers. Dad, my prayers are with your and I know that the Lord will provide for you. I just uploaded some more sweet pictures of me posing for you guys so check them out. I love you all,even Amy. DUECES

Elder Pulsipher

February 24, 2012

Hi everyone,

I was pretty stoked to log on today and see that my family remembered me...Just kidding. I can't believe that Dad had a detached retina, you don't know how it happened? You are definately in my prayers Dad, and I know that the Lord will take care of you. This last week was kind of a rough one for me. My language was pretty terrible and I felt like I ruined most of the lessons that we taught. But we baptized three people on Saturday and that was awesome. I know that time is going by really fast and that is scaring me a lot because I am not progressing as fast as I wish I was, but still the people here are also and really understanding of my bad language. We have to new family's of investigators and it is so hard to teach them because they are both deep, deep cebuano. But, I  have always loved a good struggle. I really do feel like the Lord is walking right by my side. Even despite all of the crazy stuff that goes on, I never feel unsafe. Sorry that I didn't take very many pictures this week, but we were really busy. I heard that 58 new missions just opened! That's crazy! To answer some of your questions. I did get the head lamps, thank you so much; we had a two day brown out last week. They have peanut butter from china that I can buy here so I don't need you to send that but they don't have mixed nuts or any beef jerky!!! The only place that I can take money out of my account is in the city because there are no ATM's in the jungle but its all good. Dad, I ride on those colorful jeeps all the time. They are called jeepneys and people make them out of scratch so they are super sketchy. We usually ride on the top or hang off the back of them. This week, on saturday we walked to a place called Mina'aki. It took us a few hours to get there and because I am awesome I gave my umbrella to the girl that was walking with us and I got fried! Check the dropbox... I had a member read my palm this last week and she told me some pretty sweet stuff. She told me that I was gonna fall in love with a filipino girl on my mission.(never gonna happen), then she told me that I would have 3 kids and get my dream house. Also probably not gonna happen. Anyways sorry my letter was so short this week, hpefully I do some more cool stuff next week. The church is true, the book is blue. I love you all. PEACE

Elder Pulsipher

February 17, 2013

Hello,

Sorry I am writing so early, Your probably still at grandmas or something. We left at 5 this morning because we are on our way to Bacolod City because Elder Garcia has to get his x-rays because he is going home next month. I got my package on thursday! Thank you so much! Especially for the nuts and cliff bars, they made me feel like I was at home again... This week was good, but it was a really hard one. We worked super hard but a lot of our less actives and investigators still didn't come to church. A lot of the people here are so poor that they just have no desire and see no need to do anything but work and eat. They really lack faith and it's hard to get faith if you don't act first. But as for me, my faith and trust in the Lord and my Heavenly Father grows every day. I am being supported so much in every aspect of this work and my life right now. Sometimes I will be sitting in a lesson and not understand anything and just feel completely hopeless. But then I pause and say a prayer and right after I feel completely rebooted. On saturday we walked about 16 miles from Lopez Jaena to a place called Mina'aki and back. That was pretty sweet because when we got there the investigator we were supposed to teach wasn't there. We waited for two hours for him then walked home. My language still sucks, but I can see that I am slowly improving, very slowly... My understanding of Illongo is getting a lot better though, I can pretty much follow most of what is going on in lessons. But as far as Cebuano goes I don't understand anything yet. A lady in our ward speaks this cool language called Pepapopu. It is pretty much just a language of toungue twisters. To say hello, how are you you say, mapay-yapong hapapon kapamapustapa. It is really fun to try and understand her. Something pretty crazy happened this week too. We were walking home on wednesday night and while we were walking, some guy ran past us and then about 20 other guys ran past us and when they caught up to him; they all just started beating the crap out of him with sticks and kicking and punching him. I was just gonna take them all on myself but my companion said we should go home. We went inside our house and right after that, some guy walked through are gate with a gun and just started shooting stuff. We didn't go back outside but the next day when we left there was a bunch of police from Bacolod there with M16's. I don't know what else happened but it scared the crap out of us. Sorry but I didn't take any pictures this week because we were so busy, next week hopefully I will have some. I spoke in church again yesterday and it was pretty funny, I started my talk on missionary work, the first half was pretty good in almost straight Illongo but then I realized that nothing that I was saying made sense so I just gave the rest in english. When I was done, all of the members looked really confused. I thought it was pretty funny. But other than that my week was just missionary work as usually. Me being really confused and not understanding much or knowing what to say. It's getting better though. Anyways, the Church is still true and I can still feel the spirit of the Lord helping me through it all. Make sure you guys write me next week. Thank you so much for the package and all of your prayers. I love you so much and hope that you are all doing good. 

Love,

Elder Pulsipher

February 10, 2012

Hello everyone,

Just thought thatI would start off by letting Kelly and Matt know that baboo means pig in Ilongo. Ha Well last week was another crazy one. I havn't gotten a package yet but I am sure that it will get here. We had exchanges again this week, and it went junior to junior, so I was companions with Elder Sargent for a day in Minapasok. Elder Sargent is the tall skinny one in my MTC pictures. He is definately my best friend out here so that was an awesome day. Neither of us are very good at the language but we got around just fine and taugt a few really good lessons if you can believe that. The one picture with the guy with the monkey on his head and me standing in the back was that day in Las Penas. It took us a couple hours to walk there and the people all spoke straight Cebuano, but they had never seen americans before so like 20 people gathered around us and listen to our lesson. We taught about trusting in the Lord and having faith in his commandments. After It was over, Elder Sargent told me that I am better at the language than his trainer is. But the language is starting to come along a lot better now. I still can't understand everyone but I can usually get the gist of what they are saying. We had another two baptisms last week and that was an awesome experience. I got to Baptize both brother Gacuma and sister libre. After the baptism they both bore their testimonies and the spirit was sooo strong. I was really happy. Last night we walked to Binaguhan and taught a few people out there. It was fun because like half of the youth in our ward decided that they wanted to work with us. They mostly just like to make me say the words that I can't pronounce and then laugh at me. It was a good time. I can't really think of anything that I need right now but I will let if know if I find something. Mom, to ease your mind about the bugs. Yeah, they are huge. But no I don't need you to send me a net or oils, I will be fine. Anyways, I love you all so much and just want you to know; even though this is the hardest thing that I have ever done, I am so happy right now and all of my trials make me stronger. I learn so much every day and grow closer to the Lord every day. I am so grateful for your letters, keeps them comming. Let the extended family know that I can still get DearElders!!! Love You.

Elder Pulsipher

January 26, 2012

Hey Family!

Haha, Mom it made me laugh when you said you got lots of rain.Last monday we thought it would be sunny so we hung our clothes outside and as soon as we left, it started pooring and all my white shirts got muddy. That made my day. Oh, I forgot to tell you last week but my first baptism was on saturday and it was sweet. The were these two 15 year old friends named Andrew and Jomar. I got to baptize Jomar and that was awesome. To answer some of your questions, my area is Lopez Jaena(Hina), it is a ward with over 600 members because our area is so big. But only about 100 are active. The members are awesome but right now the Philippines area goal is the rescue. So we are trying to reactivate all of the less actives. That takes up most of our time. Also the word of wisdom is a huge problem here because everyone drinks and smokes. Cigarettes only cost a peso. The members also really don't do anything. The bishop and the ward mission leader are really new so they really aren't to up to date on what they should be doing. Next week we are going to start teaching two mutes. Yeah, they are deaf and they cant speak. So we will pretty much play charades for thirty minutes. I really like the area that I am in and once I can speak, I will have so much more fun and our work will be so much more successful. The food is actually pretty good but all this rice pretty much just clogs me up and that really sucks. Last week I just started drinking all the water and I've been OK so oh well. This is my companions last area so he is pretty stoked to leave and loves to tell me how many days he has left. Last week I had one of our less actives make me and espading and it is pretty rad.(thats like a Filipino machete) I think my companion is telling President Lopez that I am doing a lot better than I am because he tells me every week how good I am doing, and every week I keep thinking I got someone else's letter. Tomorrow is my first companion exchange and I have to lead my area so that will be interesting because I don't know what anyone is saying. But it will be all good. Everywhere I go people just stop and stare at me and I am not gonna lie thats gets pretty akward sometime but I usually just walk up to the and start talking to them in english and that's pretty funny.This is definitely a completely different and its hard learning two languages at once but I love it more and more every day. Sometimes I can't even feel the blisters on my feet. I and growing so much stronger in my faith in the Lord and I feel the spirit so much stronger now. We have a lot of really hard lessons and then we have some were it just clicks and you can totally see that the spirit is witnessing to them that is true. That's what makes the days better here.I still can't understand anyone so that is pretty much the update for me. But, what is going on with Amy and Spencer? sounds like they are getting pretty serious. Is Kristi really bringing another kid on board? Sounds like Kelly and Matt are going to be rolling in it soon. Anyways, its back to work for me but I love you all and I cant wait to here from you next week.

Love,

Elder Pulsipher

January 20, 2013

Hey Family,

Well this week was another ruff one, but I can tell that they are slowly starting to get better. People keep telling me that it gets so fun once yo master the language. So I'm thinking in 6 months to a year your gonna see some real improvement in my letters. A couple highlights this week, I spoke in church yesterday, not really sure why that happened... I dont think bishop understood me when I said that I can't speak this language... Its all good though, it was a little nerve racking at first but I got over it quick and stumbled through some really sketchy Illongo. Oh and yesterday the stake relief society president told us that the first Presidency might be coming to sagay stake in march. That is my stake... So that would be pretty rad. The days are starting to go a lot faster, I just kind of got used to not being able to understand anyone and now I am just trying to focus on what people say. The members have been feeding us a lot. Almost every night this week. But, we just eat the same thing every time. Lat week I had uga. That is just a fish that they let sit until it drys out and then you eat all but the bones. Its not that bad. We have tinae(intestines), baticolon(gizards), and liver all the time. Oh and they love chicken feat here. The milk they have here is pretty much just powder. I usually have toast and some kind of fruit for breakfast. They have fruits here that are like insane. To answer marcis question, I dont have indoor plumbing and I get my water out of a well every morning. Our house isn't bad except right next to our house is a cemetary, witch gets kind of creepy sometimes. There are brow outs all the time. Thats when the whole island loses all power and it is just black, like black... There are some freakin huge spiders here and tuko's everywhere. Those are huge lizards that live in the houses. Let's see what else... Oh, to get to the city it only takes us a half an hour to get to sagay(kind of just a town) but it takes us four hours to get to Bacolod city. One of our investigators is making my companion and I espadings. Those are filipino machete's for 150 pesos. Thats like 3 dollars. My companion and I would love a package, good food out here is hard to come by. Lots of protein bars, powder, beef jerky, and my companion said he wants some american candy. So I guess just anything that wouldn't get too ruined. It is really easy to love the people here, because they all are so nice. Even though they just laugh at me whenever I try to speak, or do anything really. I hit my head on everything, because all the doors and roofs here are so low. I'm thinking about investing in a helmet. My companion is still really cool, he is in pretty good shape but I don't know why because he doesn't really do alot. Well, sorry but I am all out of time plus I think this computer is about to explode. I just want you all to know that I miss you and I love you. But, I know that this church is true and I see everyday how much I changes lives. We have been given so much, so we have a responsibility to give so much more. 

Elder Pulsipher

January 13, 2013

Hi Family,

I know that you all want to see pictures, and you should because this is probably one of the most beautiful places on the earth. I really am blessed to be able to serve here. I tried to strat my dropbox today so hopefully you can get on it. I will also email some pics just in case. Most of the people are really nice. Except for the ones that hate americans and mormons. But its all good. This week was another ruff week for me. I can understand a little bit more but I still can't put what they are saying together. It's pretty funny because people will talk to me and ill just act like I know what is going on the whole time. So yeah, I do take showers with a bucket, and no, there is no toilet paper here. Do what you want with that one. This last weekend we helped a lady move in our ward. But probably not the way you think. We just cut the legs of her house out of the ground, picked it up, and took it like a mile and set it on some rocks. The way they live here shows me just how much we take for granted in america. We are so blessed to have the lives that we do. Most people here work in the sugar cane feilds all day, come home and sleep on a bamboo cot and barely eat anything. But they laugh and smile all day laugh. I'm pretty sure they tell jokes too but I wouldn't know. My companion is from Tarlak Philippines. We get along really well, plus he is a hard worker and a great missionary. My area is huge and yesterday we went out to barungay binaguhan where the NPA(rebels) are and they kept yelling at me and then followed us home. It was pretty exciting. My companion does comunicate pretty well in english but he choses to talk in Illongo most of the time so hopefully I figure it out soon. As far as mail goes, I am pretty sure the address is in my mission booklet so you should have it. It just goes to the mission office. The other cano's that were in my district are struggling too. This language just has so many words that mean so many different things. Plus half of my area is cebuano so I get confused on which is which alot. I would love a package of pretty much anything american candy, food, a recording ould be cool of you all. I eat rice for every meal so thats kind of getting old. But ill get usedc to it. Just make sure that whatever you send wont go bad. I love you all so much and I am relying on the Lord more than I ever have at any time in my life. He really does help us, and He knows each of us. I know that he is supporting me in this trial and I will get through it. Hopefully these pictures give you an idea of what it's like here. I love you and miss you all so much. Keep praying for me. I need it.

January 6, 2013

Hey Family,

I'm sorry but I don't have time to write multiple letters here, so I just have to write one big one for you. The best way to contact me is definitely by email because I'm like 4 hours away from Bacolod city. I'm not gonna lie, these past few days have been terrible. My companion is awesome and really cool but he is Filipino and his English isn't the best. But he is a really good teacher and super obedient so we will be fine. I really can't understand anything anyone says because people just talk to me and laugh, witch kind of sucks. My area is pretty awesome. Its called Lopez Jeana(Hina) and most of it is in the middle of the Jungle. I forgot my camera but I'll send you some pictures next week. All of the houses are made out of bamboo and sheet metal. The culture and the people are so different, but most of them are really nice. Yesterday we went to find members in Barangay Binaguhan, its probably an 7-10 mile walk but it was only like 95 degrees so it was all goos. There are rebel there that take Cano's(me) and hold them for ransom so every one starred me down and yelled stuff but we were with some local members so it was all good. I just got done washing my clothes by hand and that probably took two hours. Last night we ate dinner at a members house and I had squid and a good majority of a fish... It was actually really good. Lets see what else, the mission home was awesome and I had a great time there. Don't be fooled that's not what my apartment looks like. I take a shower with a bucket and don't have any toilet paper. Its pretty awesome. The buses are super funny. They put people on the roof, on the hood, over the wheel wells, pretty much where ever they can fit people, its awesome. They put as many people as they can on theremga habal habal(motorcycles) too. I really like it here I just wish I could speak the language. I am jealous of your park city trip, but I am glad that you didn't have to wait for me. I will definitely take you up on that setup when I get back. I have definitely never relied on the Lord like I am right now. I feel completely alone here but when I get down on my knees and pray, I know that my Heavenly Father is there. I know that he knows my challenges and helps me with them. He gives us all the Holy Ghost to be with us and comfort. Even though I don't understand anything or even my companion most of the time. I can still feel the spirit witness the truth of whatever it is that these people are saying. I know that the Lord is with me and that I will be supported through this. I love you all so much and I will send pictures next week.

Miss you,

Elder Pulsipher