week #13 - Linstead

Hi fam -

My week has been pretty good.  Elder Runyan and I have been working very hard.  We have found a lot of new people who are willing to listen to the message of the restored gospel.  Hopefully they will be willing to make some changes too.  It breaks my heart when people begin to see the truth, and then are unwilling to make the changes necessary to live the commandments.  In a way, it is much like the story of Cain.  It is in a very literal sense "loving God more than satan".  This is not to say that a change in lifestyle is easy for people, but if they truly loved God, they would be willing to do what it takes.  And the only thing that could come from such a shift is happiness and blessings.  I hope that some of these people I teach will be ready to make the change later on in life, even if they are not willing to now.  

Lydia- We do have three people with a baptismal date right now. They have each agreed that when they know it is true, they are willing to make a promise with our Heavenly Father to keep his commandments.  It is a huge step for them, but a very exciting one.  I hope that they will do what it takes to find out if this is true for themselves, and then change whatever needs changed.  

We have been teaching a great family.  They have four younger daughters.  The daughters are fun to be around and are really great kids.  The parents really do want to follow God and set a good example for their kids.  They have a lot of potential.  I am excited  to see where they go. 

The week has been great. It flies by when you are working hard.  

I guess the cool experience of the week is the fact that the mother of the kids I mentioned recieved a dream in which an angel told her that "those white guys" that she has been meeting with are representatives of Jesus Christ. It was cool to see that she had that experience. 

I am doing well. I hope all of you are good too. Get feeling better nathan!

Love, Elder Pullan

week #12 - Linstead

Hey fam, 

This week has been pretty good.  Transfers happened on Friday. My new companion, Elder Runyan is awesome.  He is a great missionary and an incredible teacher.  We are going to have a lot of fun together.  It is a shame he only has six weeks left.  We are going to work hard with what we got.  My new district is great.  It is mostly the same, but I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone here.  

I don't think I have all that much to report on otherwise.  I am just enjoying the time I have here.  Elder Runyan has a guitar that works.  He plays all the time.  I may drop a likkle money and get one for myself.  Learn some more skills before I get back.  We will see. 

I dont have any big news on our investigators. We are working with a lot of people and trying to help them along the way. 

I was studying conversion this morning.  Conversion is a process in which those with righteous desires are able to build their faith through studying, coming to church, and keeping other commitments, finding out if the gospel is true, and then change their lives accordingly.  This change comes through the application of the gospel of christ which consists of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost, then enduring to the end.  True conversion comes later on after trials and testing.  A good show of someones conversion is their desire to share the gospel.  With what we have, and all the joy it brings, How can we not share?

I  love this gospel. I know it is true. I am going to try and live up to my potential.

I love you all.

Have a great week! I seems like the last week was a pretty good one for you all. Enjoy my mountain home for me.

Love, Daniel

week #11 - Linstead

Hey fam,

This week has been really good. It included a zone meeting in Spanish town, interviews with Pres. Brown, a trade off with elder Kemp, and transfers.  Elder Koegler will be leaving Linstead to go to Savannah la Mar.  Elder Groesbeck will be going to Port More.  We will be receiving elder Bidduph from Spanish town, and I will be receiving elder Runyon from Hopeton.  Elder Runyon only has one transfer left, so he will die (finish his mission) here in Linstead.  I am excited to meet him.

My experience for the week took place last night.  Elder Koegler and I ran out of things to do.  We had called everyone.  We had absolutely no one.  And it was only five o clock.  We decided to ride out to Prospect in the hopes that a less active member out there would be home.  Upon arriving, we found him sitting outside his house chatting with his friend.  We went up and began to talk with them.  He asked some good questions related to the fulfilling of the law of Moses, and was very receptive as we answered them.  We taught him the whole restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon at the end.  We explained to him that the Book of Mormon is solid undeniable evidence that what we say is true.  I bore my testimony to him, and he accepted it well.  He was excited to begin reading and seeking to know for himself if it is true.  It was very exciting for us to find another prepared person.  It made a very long, uneventful day, totally worth it.

This next week, my good friend, Elder Ambrose will be returning to Trinidad.  I am very sad to see him go.  He was one of my zone leaders in Spanish town.  We have had some good times together.  That is the way the mission goes though.

I am glad to hear that you are all doing well.

Lydia- You will have to tell me how the talent show goes! I am excited for you.

Nathan- m'daya m' yute. me done chat wid a likkle yute yesterday bout super eroes dem. im' a seh dat supa mon is di baddest. wa ya tink? Mi tink batman is badda. mmm...

I also got a haircut from my investigator this week.  I allowed a jamaican barber to cut my hair.  Not that I am prejudice or anything, it is just that barbers here only cut black hair.  He did a pretty good job though.  It was a good bonding time with him.  He was very excited to do it.  I will send a pic.

I love you all very much! Enjoy the week and take care of yourselves!
Love, Elder Pullan

3 Letters - Weeks # 8/9/10 in Linstead

(A note from the blogger-mom… I'm sorry that there were not posts the past two weeks.  I don't know where they went, but I thought I posted two together last week.  So, I will now post 3 letters together.  Thanks for following Daniel on his mission!)

Week #10 - July 21st

Hey fam, 

This week has been pretty average. We have been doing a lot of hard work, and our area is slowly expanding.  It is cool to see our work begin to add up to something. 

The last two weeks we were able to see the fulfillment of the promise Christ gives to the seventy and his apostles. They were told not to carry "purse nor scrip" with them, and not to worry for temporal needs. The last two Sunday nights, Elder Koegler and I have had literally nothing in the pantry.  We would go to bed without dinner if something didn't turn up.  Two sundays in a row, right at the end of the night, we have, at random, received a full meal.  It has been cool to see how the Lord is looking out for us in a very literal way. 

I have been studying the scriptures a lot this week. I feel like my knowledge of the gospel has greatly expanded. I invite anyone and everyone to begin reading.  The scriptures are undeniable evidence of the truth of these things.  To add to that testimony, I learn something new every single time I read.  Even if I have already read the chapter over a hundred times.  If this gospel was a lie, the depth to it would have stopped long ago.  So, in closing, read your scriptures!  I draw so much strength from them, and love them with all my heart. 

Lydia! You hit your face on the wall of a pool? You gotta be careful girl! I am glad you are ok!

Nathan- There are no monkeys in jamaica. There are snakes, but they live out in the bush. There are also a lot of mongoose, so if the snakes come down from the mountains, they get eaten. I will try to send some pix, but I left the camera cord home, so not this week.

Everything is good here. I have had some good spirit filled lessons, and we have a few investigators who are very near to choosing happiness over misery now. I have high hopes for them. There is nothing more important.

I love you all,

Love, Daniel

Week #9 - July 14th

Hey fam,

Sounds like you had a great vacation. I am glad that you all enjoyed it so much.

My week has been great. I have had a few interesting experiences.   On Friday, Elder Koegler and I went to check a less active man that we have never met out in West Prospect. He was not there, but his brother, who lives next door was.  When his brother saw that we were looking for him, he called us over.  This man, Bro. G., said that he had felt a peaceful feeling when he saw us. He said he knew that we were "children of God". He asked us how to pray.  Elder Koegler explained it simply to him, and he was very grateful.  He asked us to  pray for him, and after doing that he let us know that he has always wanted to be Christian. I let him know that our job as missionaries involves teaching people what they need to know and preparing them to grow closer to our Heavenly Father through covenants. Covenants are promises we make with our Heavenly Father.  I told him that the first covenant that we all have to make is baptism.  He said that he wants to be baptized. I was amazed by this man.  He hardly knew anything about us, or the church, but he felt the spirit. I was prompted to extend a baptismal date to him right there.  I did, and he accepted.  He has a lot to learn before he will be ready to be baptized, but I know that as he studies with us, and prays to know the truth, that he can be prepared in a months time.  He was very humble and asked us to pray for him each day before we left.  It was an incredible experience.  I know that if he keeps up the sincerity, he will be more than ready very soon.

I did a lot of missionary work this week. Most days were average, but it is the experiences like the one above that lets me know I am here for a reason. I have been working hard, and things are finally starting to move forward.

I love you all very much! Stay strong in the faith.

Love, Daniel

Nathan- I am doing great. It sounds like you had a lot of fun on the vacation. I wish I could have been there. To say "I climbed a tree today", you say "mi climb di tree fi deh."  I haven't seen any more giant spiders yet, but I will let you know when I do. I love you!

Lyds- Wow, you got to do archery? I remember loving archery when I did it. It is a lot of fun. I  am sure that grandpa will love the cup you made him! Love, Daniel. 

Week #8  -July 7th

Hey fam,

It sounds like you all have had an eventful trip.  For better and for worse.  Haha.  It sounds like a lot of fun.  I am jealous that you all got to spend the fourth in the blessed United States of America.  I love that country with all my heart. 

My week has been good. Elder Koegler and I have been working hard. We have a lot of newer investigators and people that we have contacted that we are trying to meet with, but a lot of it has fallen through. That is the way things go sometimes though. Linstead is a beautiful place. I am really enjoying it here. 

I got to go on trade off in Spanish Town earlier in the week. I was confined to a brand new truck all day. The truck was great, but I think I prefer the bicycle. Elder Ambrose and I spent the day teaching their investigators, and raking a members yard. Spanish town is very hot and flat. There are a lot of good people there though. It was a good trade off.

Our investigator, Bro. Wilson, has been doing great.  He has not yet accepted a date to work towards for baptism, but his desire to know if these things are true, and to change his life for the better is very sincere. He loves to meet with us and is always full of good questions. I am excited for him. He has been studying the Book of Mormon and praying, so it probably won't take too long for him to find that these things are true.  That is one thing I love about the gospel.  It is simple, plain, and true, and yet it holds endless depth to it.  All one must do to know is sincerely desire to know, or to change, study, and pray.  Beautiful and simple. It is a great thing. 

I hope that you all are staying strong in the gospel. It is the only thing that can bring us true happiness and joy. It is the only reason that I can be content so far from home and all that I desire. I know it is true. 

I love you all very much!

Nathan- to say I'm full, seh "mi full up!" 

I have climbed coconut trees and grabbed coconuts. It takes a lot of strength to do. It is no easy climb. I don't know if I can get a coconut through customs, but who knows. 

Lydia- The trip sounds great! I hope you enjoy your week at philmont!

I love you all.

Love, Daniel

A banana spider - it's legs are 4" across. I played with it.

Week #7 - Linstead

Hey fam, 

Sounds like every one is going on crazy adventures without me. That is ok though. I have my own crazy adventures here. No need to worry for me.  

This week was good. Elder Koegler and I got to see the prime minister at the community center grand opening. The ceremony was very... Jamaican, but it all went well. We are excited that it is done so that we can start seeing paul a little more frequently.  

I went into Spanish Town on Wednesday for Zone Meeting. Zone Meeting was really good. It focused a lot on meeting with the Ward Mission Leader. We just got a new ward mission leader, so I am going to have to do a lot of coordinating and training. I am still trying to figure it out myself. 

We went for a bike ride out toward Mexico (a small town somewhere in the bush) on Sunday when everything else fell through. As far as exploring the area goes, we did not find much.  The valley we rode into was, however, full of orange orchards. The tru-juice orchards spread out across the whole valley. It was green and absolutely beautiful.  

There was one night this week where we got home and there was no power. We had to plan with flashlights. It came back on before bed time though. 

My district has been doing great. We are all working hard here. There is much to be done. I will be going on trade off in Spanish Town tonight. It should be fun. I have not yet taught in Spanish Town. I will be with Elder Ambrose, so I am looking forward to it. Elder Ambrose is great.

Enjoy the vacation everyone. Good luck with Philmont dad. Seriously, good luck. 

I am glad to hear that Mariel is getting married. I also found out today that Gretchen Graham is getting married soon too. 

I am glad that I don't have to worry about anything for another year. Just hot sun, and ghetto gospel. Haha.

I love you all!

Elder Pullan

suit models for the ceremony Saturday

My art for the week.  On my desk.

The Zone

week #5 & #6 Linstead

Week #6

Hello fam, 

This week has been good. My district now consists of 8 people including me. Four of them are sisters. We spent some time getting the areas split for good. Elder Koegler and I have had a bit of a rough time since we lost a lot of the people we were seeing in the area split. Things are starting to pick back up again though. It has taken some slow days and hard work though. 

Elder Hall coming here was.... a mistake! The APs messed up the transfer calls. Elder Hall is actually in Ocho Rios now, and we got Elder Kemp. Elder Kemp is a cool kid. He will be a good addition to the district. Elder Koegler and I took a trip out towards Tulloch this week. Sometimes, when everything falls through, it is good to go and explore your area a bit. We went out to the point where we honestly wouldn't ride out there even to teach investigators. We never did reach Tulloch. The ride was beautiful though. 

We have been teaching a man named Paul lately. Paul is a great guy. He is really involved in his community, and has been in charge of overseeing the building of a new recreational center where he lives. We have been invited to attend the opening ceremony on Saturday. We will be counted as guests of honor along with... Portia Simmons, the prime minister of Jamaica. So that should be a cool experience. Hopefully we will find some more people to teach from it.  

It sounds like you had a great time on trek. All the pictures you sent reminded me of my trek. It really is a once in a lifetime experience. A good reminder of what our ancestors went through.  

Lydia: I bet you did great with the play. You will have to send me some pictures. You too nathan. 

Nathan:  Me a teach unu fi chat likkle patwah. Unu gwaan fi be a rill jameikan when me done wid you. Cyan unu seh- a di time? Das ow we ask fi di time dem. If unu cyaan undastand dis ting, read it out loud and maybe you will get it. A di ting m'yute. 

Good luck.

I love you all! 

Love, Daniel.

Me in the jungle

The jungle

Week #5

Hi fam- 

This week was pretty good. We did a lot of the same old stuff. Missionary work. We are teaching some good people, and all is going well though. Transfer calls came on saturday. I will be staying with Elder Koegler. Elder Hall will be coming from Mo bay to serve with Elder Groesbeck. Elder Dalley will be returning home to riverton this week. We will also be getting two more sisters, so my district will now consist of 8 members. Wow.  

The members have been really excited with the formation of the new stake. We have been working to get them all doing missionary work. It has been going well. We have a lot of great members here in Linstead.  

For trek- I think it would be good to talk about how each of us are pioneers. With the way things are going, it is going to take courage to be a Mormon. Even our pioneer ancestors look up to those in our day. Our trial will be hard, but the examples that have come before will make it so we can push through. Trek will be a great experience. I am excited to hear about it.  

Elder Koegler was not feeling well for the last few days. I sat inside all day Saturday. I drew literally the whole time. From nine in the morning until ten thirty at night. It was fantastic. I probably took a half hours worth of breaks in there, but twelve hours of drawing was great. Elder Koegler is feeling a little better now. We should be good get back out this week.  

I love you all!

Love, Elder Pullan

Dad- Happy fathers day!

I just realized that it was fathers day yesterday. I hope you had a good one. I want you to know that I am grateful for the example that you have set for me as my dad. You are a great man, and you have been my best friend since day one. Thanks for being so great to me, even when I was off doing my own thing. I love you dad.

Love, your son.

Me and Elder Packer at stake conference.  I love this kid.

week #4 - Linstead

Hello everyone,

My leg-  is about back to normal. I will have some splotchy scars that will fade, but that is it.   I was on an antibiotic pill + ointment. I am done with it now.  My leg does not hurt anymore and the swelling has gone down.   It takes time to get to kingston, so unless something acts up, I probably will not get a follow-up appointment.   As far as I can tell, it is back to normal.  Thanks for worrying.

The new stake includes; Constant Springs Kingston, Boulevard Kingston, Spanish Town 1, Spanish Town 2, Port More, and Linstead. Old Harbor is included in the stake, but will remain a branch until it gets a lot bigger.

At the first stake conference in jamaica, president brown addressed everyone for the last time as the priesthood leader of Jamaica. He gave us a list of six things that we each need to do with the coming of the stake. They were:

-Open your homes. Share the gospel in your home with your friends.

-Open your mouths. Share the gospel.

-Open your hearts. Love others unconditionally, whether they accept the gospel or not.

-Open the doors of the chapel. Make the chapel have a presence in the community. Hold activities often, and invite others.

-Open the doors of the temple. All worthy members 12 and up must have a temple reccomend, even though there is not temple in JA.

-Open your wallets. He said "I know of no other principle that will change the lives of those here." Pay your tithing and fast offerings and you will be blessed. 

Elder Holland was amazing. He told us a story about his childhood. He talked about how his father was a drinker and a smoker, and how his bishop, elders quorum pres., and sunday school pres. came by to call him to teach his son Jeff's class. This was a turning point in his fathers life. His father gave up the smoking and drinking that day, and only months later, was called the the bishopric. He died a faithful man. He told the congregation that we don't know who we are saving. Through the acts of his bishop and two others, him and the rest of his family were brought back into the gospel. It has influenced countless others. The lord is working on everyone in their own way. We have no right to judge or deny them the gospel. God loves ALL his children, and ALL will hear the gospel.

The next day, the stake was organized. Elder Cornish talked about how we bind Satan through personal righteousness. Elder Holland followed by explaining sustaining our leaders, and then invoking a blessing on all that were present. It was an incredibly powerful experience. 

After the conference, the thirty missionaries that got to attend gathered in a back room. Elder Holland took a few precious minutes to meet with us. We all had the chance to introduce ourselves and where we are from. Elder Cornish bore a powerful testimony of the truth of the gospel. He said "Don't think that we are not aware of scientific advancements, shift in culture and politics.  We are intelligent men with reason, and we have not been fooled. The Gospel is true. The Book of Mormon is undoubtedly the word of God...". Elder Holland then took a couple of minutes to tell us never, never to leave the church. For a return missionary to leave the church is to disgrace the good name that missionaries have. It is to go against all that everyone knows, loves, and respects about those who have taken this chance to serve the lord. To leave makes us absolute hypocrites. He said that a return missionary leaving the church is one of the few major tragedies in the church. He bore his testimony of the gospel, then shook each of our hands as we left the room. It has been an amazing week. I am so glad that I got to participate in such an incredible event. 

The stake conference was amazing. It was powerful and spirit filled. I was able to meet some of the pioneers of the church in Jamaica, like Victor Nugent, Amos Chin, and Bro. Nugents friend whose name I can't remember. This is a day none of them expected to see. It was great to see them there. This stake has been a long time coming. I also got to meet some return missionaries that served here in the 90's and came back for the stake. The congregation was huge both nights. Us missionaries stood in back for both sessions. It was rough on the legs, but totally worth it.

It sounds like everyone is doing well. Good job on the basketball camp lydia. 

Do you love baseball nathan?

You got an interview dad. That is a good start!

I am doing great. I love you all.

Love, Daniel.