October 26, 2014

Good morning,

To be perfectly honest, I am having a really tough time right now. I spoke in church yesterday and it was really hard to hold back the tears. I have grown to love the people here so much. I have learned so much from them and my testimony of this gospel has grown as I have watched them rely on the Savior and His gospel to get through their trials and problems. The mission has been such a huge blessing in my life and a big part of me doesn't want it to end. I cannot believe how fast time goes by. But, another big part of me really wants to see all of you! Two years is a long time and I am so excited to come home and start the rest of my life! The only trick is gonna be taking everything that I learned from my mission and applying it to life at home. Don't be mad if I go through a little bit of culture shock for the first few days or so. Anyways, his last few days has been really fun and really sad. On friday night we had a dinner appt. with one of the families in the ward. When we should up, we found out that all of the auxiliary leaders had planned a surprise farewell party for me. Then saturday after our baptism we went to the Pineda's house(one of our investigators) and had family home evening. Sunday was the worst though... While I was bearing my testimony in Sacrament all of the members started crying. haha It was really awkward. I also don't have a whole lot of stuff to bring home with me because I have given most of my clothes and things to members. We have more than enough at home.. We ate dinner at the Esquivel families last night and have an appt. with the Velasco's later tonight. It's gonna be a good day. Tomorrow morning I will go to bacolod and have my exit interview with President then on Wednesday I will get on a plane. It's gonna be a quick 4 days so get excited! I will try and find some cool stuff for you guys in bacolod tomorrow. I love you all, see you on thursday. Oh, and make sure you go to the right terminal!

Love,

Elder Pulsipher

October 20, 2014

Good morning family,

This week has been a stressful one. We are doing everything we can to get our investigators ready for baptism but sometimes it just takes a lot of time and a lot of faith! Yesterday, I had my last zone conference in the mission. It was sad to realize that I wont be apart of this great work in the Bacolod mission very soon. In the month of September alone, Bacolod mission baptized 590 converts. Highest in the world by far... This mission really is moving at the Lords pace and I am going to miss it. But I feel good about being able to come home and apply all of the things that I have learned to my service in the church as a full time member. There is no more room for "sunday mormons" in this church. "Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess"... The work continues. I hope that all of you are enjoying helping others come unto Christ as much as I have for the last 2 years. I love you all so much and am so grateful for all your letters of support and prayers that have uplifted and strengthened me during my full time service as a missionary. This is my last week in the field so I will be sprinting as fast as I can. I really do love the Philippines and the Filipinos so much, I have learned so much here and I have seen first hand how the gospel takes bad people and makes them good, then takes good people and makes them better. I love you family and I can't wait to see you next week! I found out that I will have my very own ERC training with the Greene couples on next Tuesday, Then I will get to spend Wednesday with President Lopez before he takes me to the airport. Well family, I love you. You are always in my prayers and I know that the Lord is watching over you. "TILL IT!" this week and We'll talk again on monday.

love,

Elder Pulsipher

October 12, 2014

Good morning!

This week has come and gone so fast! I hope the next one does too because I really want to see you! But we are working hard here and we have 2 baptisms lined up for my last 2 saturdays. About my arrival in the airport mom, it's fine if it's just you guys. They can all just come over that night. And I am super excited about that watermelon... This week was awesome. I spent a lot of time thinking about the things that I have learned on my mission. I also read over my patriarchal blessing a few times. Until the other day I thought that a lot of my blessing was about my mission and the things that I would learn, accomplish and the people I would help here. But the other day I realized that it's not talking about my mission. My mission has been my training ground for me top learn how to serve in the church for the rest of my life. Most of the blessings promised there are blessings yet to come. The end of my mission will mark the beginning of my "great work" in helping build the kingdom of God.  I also was so uplifted and inspired by general conference. There will be lots of trials and persecutions that come at us as we continue in the faith. But God's message to us is to never give in... Never compromise the things you you believe. We need to start now, strengthening our testimonies and standing up for what we believe. There is no place for members who want to stand on the sidelines. Our Savior needs us in the game! I love this work! I can't wait to come home and see you and continue on living he Gospel and doing what we can to hasten the Lords' work. Try not to miss me too much! 2 weeks na lang :)

Elder Pulsipher

September 29, 2014

Well, I never thought that the day would come that I am not very excited to tell people that I am going home. I don't know if I am scared about going back to regular life or if the Philippines and the people here have just become a part of me. A part that will be hard to leave behind. But anyways, On transfer day, I was positive that I would be out of Aguisan! But, then on Monday night I heard through the grape vine that I was not the one leaving... my companion was! So wednesday morning we went to Bacolod and I picked up Elder Villanueva. An even smaller Filipino from mindoro (upper island of the Philippines). He is a fairly new missionary. He was just trained by elder moody and then thrown at me. He is a really quiet little guy but I will do my best to break open his shell. I am getting pretty good at that... Anyways, I am sure that you got the text from Elder Ellis' mom earlier. They came and picked him up and since I am in Bacolod today, we went bowling and out to lunch with them. They are a really nice couple. Oh yeah, I am in Bacolod today because tomorrow morning at 4 am I will fly to manila by myself to get my fingerprints done and go to the temple. It will be a fun experience and I will get to use my tagalog a little bit.. It is rad that the stewarts got to listen to a sister come home from the Philippines on sunday. If she spoke tagalog that means she is from luzon... Lame! But, maybe I will get to talk to her when we are up there for kates baptism. On saturday, it was family week here in Binalbagan stake. So we had a stake baptism and I was super bumbed because our investigator didn't show up! So we watched them take the picture and sat in the back as the program started and then sister Maryjoy Jabagat came running into the building! She made it! After the baptism, we found out that she had to wake up at 5 to go to the beach and collect crabs and sea snails so that she could sell them so that she could pay for the travel fare to Binalbagan... She is so awesome. Her to daughters will be baptized this Saturday. On sunday, we only had 5 investigators at church but they will all be baptized in the coming weeks. On another note, I had another testimony building experience with death this week. A daughter of a less active came to us on thursday night because her 3 year old son was sick. Very, very sick. He had menangitis and was in a lot of pain with a bad fever. We gave him a priesthood blessing and the next night we came back and found him laying on the table. Lifeless, but in peace. His mom sitting next to all that was mortal of him. We sat down with her and shared a little bit about our heavenly fathers plan for us. While we were talking, she told us that it wasn't painful for him when he died. He was sleeping peacefully when he stopped breathing. Just helped me realize that my ways are not Gods  ways. Sometimes we all just need to humble ourselves and submit to Gods will, whatever that may be. I love you all so much and I can't wait to see you in a few weeks. Pray that I don't get stabbed in Manila and pray that I magically loose 15 lbs before I come home. 

Don't miss me too much...

Elder Pulsipher

P.S. - Kristi, I think that it's super awkward to randomly give out books of mormon and was never very good at it. The situation has to be right. Invite someone to your house for family home evening. Then teach your kids about how the book of mormon has blessed your life. Then offer on to them as a gift :) GOD IS LOVE :)

September 21, 2014

Helloooo,

The time is going by so fast! You guys know that the batch ahead of me goes home today! Which means that I am next in line! BTW, today is transfer day again so we are gonna be waiting for a call tonight. I am pretty sure that I will be transferred to Bacolod because that is what President usually does to "white" missionaries before they go home. I am super excited by the way to go feed the homeless people on thanksgiving. But the will have to forgive me if I don't have a whole lot of empathy for them because I have seen a lot of very, very poor people in the last 2 years... Last week was awesome. We got to baptize sister Rebecca Genabe and sister Asherrie Esquivel. We found them both through less active families who are now coming back to church! This work is awesome. On sunday, we had stake conference and 1,180 people showed up so we ended up standing... BUt it was still an awesome meeting. President Lopez showed up and spoke on member missionary work. I love listening to President speak because he knows everything about the gospel. He speaks with such power even though he is such a small guy. It's actually kind of funny. But anyways, the work here in Aguisan is going great! This has probably become my favorite area. I love the people here even though I am persecuted all the time for being a huge white american... It's all good though because it is helping me be more like Jesus... Today, we are going to go play basket ball in Binalbagan with the other missionaries so that will be fun. Then it's back to work! It is nonstop here in the mission field and it's gonna stay that way until the end! I love you all. Keep on enjoying your time in paradise and dad, don't make any car choices without me... 

Keep it real,

Elder Pulsipher

September 14, 2014

Listen, I just wrote you all a sweet email recapping all of this weeks festivities and then my computer shuts down! The Philippines never fails... to fail. But the most important thing I wrote was happy B-day to my favorite big brother who I am sure had a sweet party this week. I hope that the family took care of you. I will just have to give you my sweet present when I get home... But in other news, today is transfer day! There is a possibility that I could transfer to Bacolod tomorrow morning which would not be the worst thing ever. We had a baptism on Saturady, Sister Florejoy Anono Gregorio. Don't ask me how they come up with these names because I still have no clue. The weather was not the greatest this week because there was another big storm in Luzon( the islands right above ours). So we worked soaking wet and walking through flooded streets this week. So much fun! But when it rains here no one comes to church so yesterday we were hit hard. Only 3 investigators. We are just going to have to work extra hard this week to make up for the loss! I am trying super hard these days to not think about home but every time I try my eyes seem to find there way to another calender. The members here are not helping me either. All they want to talk about when they work with us is what America is like and what my plans are when I get home... But, I am still focused on the work! I love you all so much! make sure that you say hi to Grandma and grandpa for me. Only a few more short weeks! But until then,

Peace, love, happiness,

Elder Pulsipher

August 31, 2014

Family!

How are things going back in paradise? Wonderful i'm sure.. For everyone who is wondering. My arrival in San Diego will be on October 30, 2014 at 2:00 pm. I just told you today so that you can prepare, I have pretty high expectations for my homecoming... Another awesome week this week here in the Philippines! We baptized another hood rat this week and two other kids from less active families who are now coming back to church! Sometime I wonder if I deserve all the blessings that I have been blessed with here. I know that God is so aware of me and of all of us. He knows what all of his children feel and what we need. This week will will baptize Gerald! He is the last hood rat that we have been teaching. There are a couple more but I'm not sure if President Monson could make those kids change. But we will keep working with them. In other news, last Monday I am pretty sure I broke my foot so I have been walking with a sweet ganster limp all week and I am going to try to play basketball today even though it hurts like crap. We'll see how it goes... I am really sorry that my emails are really lame now a days. Honestly, the days go by so fast that I don't remember half of the stuff that happens during the week. We just teach people. Oh yeah! I did get my package on Tuesday and made the mistake of opening it in district meeting. My companion was wondering what why some of the nuts looked a lot like pills... Good times... Well, thanks to you I have enough tigers milk bars to get me to the finish line so here goes the sprint! It's time to go to work! I love you all so much and I'll see you in less than 2 months.

Peace, love, happiness 

Elder Pulsipher

August 24, 2014

Good morning to all my loved ones...

First of all I guess I better give a shout out to the home boy Mike. Happy B-day big guy! Best wishes from the Philippines and I hope the Kristi is taking care of you today... 390 cu!
This week has been another super fast one. It was awesome but for some reasons I am starting to have some serious mood swings.. One day I will be super stoked to come home and see all of you but then I think about the mission and it's gonna be a huge bummer to leave this place and these people... But, I really want to go to the gym again so I am coming home for sure. Haha I am happy to say that we baptized our first hoodrat this last week. I was crazy to watch him change and his testimony at the baptism was awesome. The next one, Arnolfo or "ting"will be baptized on saturday which will be awesome and the other two are still working on there smoking and drinking... Elder David and I are doing work right now and I am praying that the progressing will continue. There is nothing like seeing the fruits of your labor and the change that the Gospel can bring to peoples lives. But there is also nothing like hanging out with your family and kickin it on the beach so I am really excited for that.. This week, the Liahona foundation brought a bunch of supplements to our area for malnourished children so we spent all saturday helping at the church. It was fun and it's always rewarding to do some service and see peoples happy faces. Well, in other news. The Filipino's still havn't learned how to deliver mail so my package has not showed up yet. Who would have guessed... But, I am super excited to see what kind of b-day treats I got. I love you all and miss you so much. Good luck to everyone with school starting again, never waste the opportunity to learn... Your knowledge is one of the few things that you can always take with you. LOve you guys! Talk to you next week..

Elder Pulsipher

August 10, 2014

Good morning Fam!

I hope that you all had a great week and that you really enjoyed the time you got to spend together at home. And mom, I can't wait for that home cooked bbq that you promised me. I have really gotten over the food here.. Same thing day after day, after day, after day... I mostly just eat eggs and rice but last night a member family fed us a big dinner. Rice (of course), fish, stir fry veggies and a bunch of filipino fruit. And you know how much i love my fruit! I have been thinking about putting some watermelons on back order for when I get home? Just kidding. I am going on a hard core diet when I get home again because I am gonna get kelly to train and run another marathon with me.. :) Early happy birfday to my girl KELLY by the way. You're the best and I love you! I will be thinking about you this week.. I am super excited about my package by the way! Can't wait to see whats inside. Well, this week is transfer week and AI am really scared that I will transfer right before my b-day on Saturday. I have big plans because we have 3 baptisms on Saturday so I am having a bunch of members make some good food and we will just celebrate after the baptism... But, all my plans will be ruined if I transfer tomorrow. But then again, it wouldn't be that bad because my comp has been testing my Christlike attributes this week. The mission is the best :) I have learned so much and still have so much more to learn! Hopefully this week, I can overcome my weaknesses and show Elder David  some love this week. Bob Marley believed that love could conquer all... me too. Dad, what you said is so true. Christ like love is what sets us apart from the world.We need to look past the little weaknesses that we all share and just live what we believe.. I threw some pictures on drop box of our "sharing the love" this week with the Filipinos! Our trials only make us stronger! :) We have been teaching a gang of hood rats that live here in Aguisan for the last 2 months.. Yesterday, 4 of them came to church where button up shirts :) Nothing is impossible.. Tell grandma and grandpa that I sent a letter their way. But I forgot their address so I just sent it to you. Pass it along please :) I love you all so much. I am praying for all of you and I know that God is mindful of all of you. The blessings are there, whether we choose to see them or not. Have a great week!

Peace, love, happiness

Elder P

August 3, 2014

Good morning!

I can't believe Elder Mataútia showed up in Carlsbad... That is so random! I was his zone leader in La Carlota before he went home and yeah he is a super cool missionary. He is from American Samoa. But anyways, this week was awesome here in Aguisan. We were able to find a couple new families and one of them is so prepared for the gospel! It is always nice to be able to see God's tender mercies. He is always helping us, whether we choose to realize it or not. Dad, you made a great Mormon, that's for sure, 'but I think you should have showed off the arms a little more. Well it still sounds like a party back at home, everyone is busy and I hope no body forgets my b-day coming up. I am expecting letters, pictures, videos... We got to go all out for my last b-day in the mission field. But I am super scared because that week is transfer week and if I get transferred before my b-day I will probably cry. We have so many progressing investigators here and so many baptisms coming up. But only 5 of them came to church on Sunday because of the rain... again. But there is always next week. Or at least there will be for the next 11 weeks. Time goes by so fast. Oh yeah, I wanted to ask you guys if there is anything you want from the Philippines? If not I will just keep my eyes open on p-day for cool stuff. I love you all so much and there is no doubt in my mind that this work is true. Get involved! The missionaries need you!

Love,

Elder Pulsipher

July 27, 2014

Good morning loved ones :)

Any week with a baptism is an awesome week! Saturday was the baptism of Christina Pineda and she was so prepared! This last week, her fellow-shipper Brother Kin, kind of went on a down hill slope and decided he wanted to start drinking again and sister Christina totally stood up and let him know that she has changed her life and she would not go back! It was great, but I had to give brother Kin a piece of my mind... Sister Christine has 14 brothers and sisters and we are teaching 8 of them and her mom. So I am super excited about about teaching them. Everyone needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ! While I was in Bacolod last week I had an interview with President Lopez and he let me know that I will be spending my last 3 months in Aguisan. I am so stoked! But the other missionaries tell me that that is Presidents way of telling yo that you're about to be transferred. Cross your fingers that I stay. I am glad that you got to see me teach on facebook. Just so you know, that is not how we really teach. President told us that we had to teach word of wisdom randomly like we were OYMing someone on the street. Which is super hard and even more intimidating because President was sitting in front of us.. But at least you got to see how fat I am getting. I need kelly to hook me up with some diet stuff in my B-day package.. I love you kelly! Well, other than that, this week was pretty average. Super fast as usual. I don't even bother to use a calender anymore. But good news, it didn't rain on Sunday! We had 9 investigators come to church so that was a blessing. I am super pumped about hitting it hard this week and filling my last 3 months with baptisms. I am sorry that you got punted by those in actives in your ward but that is all part of missionary work. Keep going back! We don't give up, even if they have... I love you all so much and I miss you like crazy. But I don't miss you enouph to be trunky... ;) I hope you have an awesome week this week and I was thinking that I should start compiling a few souvenirs to bring home from the Pines, I would also like to have a new suit made. But, I have no money... Well, I love you all, you are all in my prayers and I can't wait to see you in 90 days! :)

Peace, love, happiness,

Elder Pulsipher 

July 20, 2014

Good morning!

This week was a lot better than last week as far as sickness goes. Thank you for all your prayers :) They help a lot. But our work was still hindered this week by the storms that are thrashing on the Philippines last night. For the last couple days, nothing but rain, wind and floods which took a big toll on our church attendance yesterday... But as usual, the show must go on. I have really gotten over getting down on the little bummer moments in life. It takes too much energy to let the bad stuff get to you. We all just need to learn to look forward! I remember Elder Dubes' talk in last conference. We shouldn't dwell on the past. So this week I am only gonna focus on the good stuff. I have less than 100 days to give it my all! (not that I am counting) So that is what I'll do. This week I will go to Bacolod on Wednesday for a mission presidents training and I will be interviewed by President. Hopefully I will learn what's going to happen my last two transfers. I really want to train again here in Aguisan because there are so many people here that I haven't baptized yet!  To be honest, aside from the fact that I am really jealous still that you all just work out and hang out at the beach all day, on my mission I have really come to understand how important the gospel is in our lives. And even though the mission is really hard, I have such a testimony of how much God wants His children to know what this gospel is. That even despite all my problems and shortcomings, God still uses me as an instrument in this work everyday.  I love being a missionary and it sucks that my full time service is going to come to an end soon. But, life goes on. I love you all so much! But, I am going to need your love and your prayers to help me not get trunky my last couple months! You are the best family in the world, don't ever change...

Elder P

June 22, 2014

Good morning,

I am a little bummed out today because this week was a little slow. We pretty much just gave blessings all week because every one is sick. The beginning of rainy season here really gets to people. That is probably one of the reasons that we did not have the turn out that we should have at church yesterday. Two investigators at church is not how I roll... It's all good though because I am gonna show satan this week that he is messing with the wrong missionary's investigators. It's on! But, we did have an awesome baptism on Saturday of sister Rosemarie Seduko. I know that in the picture standing next to me she looks like she is 12 but that's just because I am huge. She is 19. ha I am super happy that you are all kickin' it together in LV this week. Have dad go look at some nice cars for me... I know that you will all have an awesome time! Even without me there to keep you all going. Man, I could really use a plain tart from yogurtland right now...  We are gonna have a mellow p-day today. No basketball or anything but we do have a huge family home evening planned for later tonight that will be awesome. I really do love this area and the members. I hope that I can finish off my mission here in Aguisan! I swear I had something to tell you guys about but I forgot. I think my high school years left me short a few brain cells... Isn't the atonement great! haha Just so you know, I did get my package last week, and it was awesome! I have enough goldbond to sprint to the finish. This week, I am just going to try and stay focused and working hard. It would be awesome though to see some Vegas pictures next monday! I love you all. Have an awesome week and be safe! I can't wait to hear from you next week. :)

get baptisms or die tryin....

Love Elder Pulsi