Week 4

Dear Family,

    

    Due to a misplaced planner, I'm going to have to write this one from the top of my head. 

As each day passes It almost seems impossible that I've been here almost a month. Yet, by seeing the "inexperience" of the now 4-week totaled group of new missionaries, I see how it can be possible. I really do love it here. Given, the days are long and the weeks are short, and sometimes you think, "How can I go study again?!" But, you do, and you learn something new EVERY time. 

Mom, Dad, thank you so much for you letters. I feel that life back home is as great as it can ever be...must be if BYU beat Gonzaga and St. Marys. I just love thinking of all the exciting things that are in store for all of you! Sidenote: Claire, are you having a boy or girl? I don't know if you don't know yet, but I'd love to know....you know, to make sure I got the stats right when people ask!  

    Interestingly, this week I've thought a lot of Grandpa Bangerter. On sunday a Brother Heaton spoke to us. I was sitting 2nd row and was curios enough to ask his family sitting in front of me whether they were related to Darla Heaton. After a negative response, I was going to end the conversation, thanking them for the wonderful talk. However, the speaker's mother in law saw my name tag and said, "Bangerter!" She then discussed with her daughter quickly about which Bangerter they knew. Finally they turned to me and said, "Who's your dad?" I responded with Dad's name, but quickly said Grandpa's as well. Her 85 yr old eyes got wide. She then proceeded to tell me a story:

    Apparently, when Grandpa was first married to Grandma Mildred, they lived in Arizona ( I knew that much) but needed a place to stay. This Sister's parents provided them with a little place right by the Mexican Border of which Grandpa and Grandma or very grateful.

  I knew this friendship was stronger when she continued on about later in life:

     She spoke of when she and her husband were called to be the first temple presidents in Tokyo. Grandpa was obviously their for the proceedings and was very warm to this sister. She laughed as she told me that some of the other people wondered if the used to date or something! She continued with a smile by saying that they just had a great respect for eachother. I thanked her for her comments on Grandpa and she responded by saying how much she loved Grandma Geri Bangerter, even though she knew Grandma Mildred Bangerter Better. Sadly, due to my misplaced planner, her name escapes me.

    Then, on tuesday we had Elder Steven E Snow of the 70 speak to us. He spoke of great missionaries of the church (being the church historian) and the successes they had. He talked of Samuel Smith, John Taylor, Joseph Fielding Smith (companions with grandpa eyre), and then finally he said, "To illustrate this point [it was that areas change quickly in membership over time], President William Grant Bangerter sent the first groups of missionaries to Recife..." and he proceeded to talk about the growth of that city into the temple that now sits there. Obviously, I was BLOWN away. First, he didn't need to say the name of the mission president that sent missionaries to a city in the middle of brazil. The story would've had just as much power if he said, on [such a date] recife was small, today it has a temple. Yet he did say his name, and the spirit touched me strongly. To add to the impact, we, as a MTC choir, had just finished singing "Faith of Our Fathers". Before the performance, we were taught more about all the early missionaries of the church and the faith they had. 

 After the meeting a thanked Elder Snow and headed to get some mail with my DL. He grabbed a letter and said, "Elder Bangerter, this one is for you..." Then an older man stopped and turned a round and said , "Elder Bangerter?". I didn't know who he was until I saw that his nametag was the same as mine...only in english. After establishing that he was from bountiful, he continued to say how great grandpa was and how great the name of Bangerter. (he said there are more Bangerter's in Lyss then Bangerten, by the way). Again I was blown away,. 

And now, after all these experiences I knew that I had been blessed. I shared with my district at the Devotional Recap these coincidences and challenged them to remember the heritage that is there before us and what we can do to make it live on. I see this everywhere I go. Heck, the name  of the bookstore is the "Jacob Hamblin Building". I truly am surrounded. 

    I learn more and more Albanian each day. I try to speak it at every single meal and any chance I get with my shoku (companion:literally friend). I'm able to say pretty good prayers and we teach from about 8-11 lessons a week. We have 3 investigators. Alma, Petrit, and Jonist. Alma is a woman who is muslim but wants more, she LOVED church and continues to grow. Petrit is also muslim but kinda gets confused about where he came from and where he is going (and as a teacher he mistakes which group of missionaries taught him what :) and then we have Jonist, he is so awesome. Last meeting, he asked if he could be baptized which took us totally by surprise. I've realized that the change in the investigator happens when they do it themselves. Our companionship has taught a lot of the basics, and this has proven to get our investigators far. All of them came to church, and pray and read the book of mormon. There is power in the principles. 

Many more amazing experiences happened this week, and I know that they happen to you. I have a testimony that every day God will show his love for you and that every day, you can see the workings of the atonement in your life. Thank you for your love and prayers. Please ask any questions you have about my MTC life, because I know I don't talk a lot about it! I love you and I miss you everyday. I mostly miss that you can't be here with me cause I know that all y'all siblings would be the best companions! 

Ju Dua!

Elder Bangerter

P.S. could I get the email addresses of Kimberly, Makell, Mazie and anyone else that maybe I might want? Thank you! 

PPS Ah, I love the little flowers that poke up everywhere, I like to tell everyone that we are like those flowers and the buds on the trees...When April 1 comes around we'll be almost in complete bloom!

Another picture at the temple

Week 3

Dearest Family,

   

Happy Valentines da....I mean anniversary of the 12 Apostles founding. (gotta stay focused :)

 Thank you all for your letters. I am so pleased to hear of all the fair weather...or lack thereof. In any case I'm glad that you are all safe. You better bet that I've been singing 'Gone to Carolina in My mind' I'm excited for all 3 of you, Andrew, Caitlyn, and Seth, to go be missionaries again. But meanwhile don't get offended if I start singing, 'Gone to Shqipëria in My mind" (albania). 

    Over and over again, the Sabbath day amazes me. This Sunday was bitter sweet. First, we had to say farewell to our Branch President, Kenneth Andersen. He is an amazing man, I think I've said a lot about him before, but you can't say too much! Along with his farewell was the farewell of the Finnish District. They are in our zone, along with the Hungarians. Even though we learned different languages, we still grew close as friends, some of which will probably be friends when I come back to BYU. The sacrament meeting was....well lets say emotional. Mom! Thanks for letting me play the piano when I was supposed to be doing something else. I played prelude for sacrament meeting from the Marshall McDonald Book (thanks Andrew, (I guess if you were wondering where it was...I have it :) ) Many zone members commented on my playing and all I could do was smile. I am so grateful to come from a musical family. My district is sort of musical...every once and awhile we may break out in  "Into the Fire" or Phantom of the Opera or Forgotten Carols. Our Croatian Elder loves the song Lollipop, lollipop, o lolly lolly lolly pop!...It's pretty fun.

   Also, thanks mom for the whoppers! I love eating them everyday! Oh ya, and don't forget the AMAZING LEMON BARS that our entire hallway was raving about. One Elder said he hated lemon desserts and was instantly converted when he tried yours. Another Elder considered converting to another religion so he could worship you as a saint! (Not trying to be sacrilegious). Each bite was a taste of home...mmmm good. 

    Home comes to mind all the time. I grateful that it is not a distraction but a boost to my mindset every time I think of home. A few examples: I run into Kalan at the Gym or Brother Sowby all the time randomly; we sing Love at Home in Shqip (hint hint title) and I think of bedtime songs; I go to the temple and think of my parents, siblings, and ancestors; People see 'Bangerter' and just tell me how great a family I have. So thank you, all of you for the wonderful examples you are to me. I truly love you all.

   The spiritual high of the week award goes to....Sunday Night Devotional! Like I said last week, Elder and President Holland (who's who!?) spoke pertaining to Joseph Smith. Rather, Elder Holland said (paraphrasing, because it's hard to copy exactly what he poetically states, "Tonight, I don't want to be a member of the Quorum of the 12, but a garden-grown proud father of an amazing son." President (of UVU) Holland then spoke of Joseph Smith's experiences. For me, I'd heard a lot of the stories, though his wording was very eloquent and painted great pictures. So, again, music conquered and the spirit was felt as the Orem institute Choir sang, "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of "Come Thou Fount", then a soloist sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief", and finally, they and us, the choir, sang Mack Wilburg's "Praise to the Man". 

   Now I've been on Heritage tours, and I've read the Doctrine and Covenants, and read a lot and seen a lot of portrayals of the prophet Josef Smith's life, however, when that choir reached "Sacrifice Brings forth the Blessings of Heaven..." I, like never before in my life, felt the spiritual chills travel like the Joy school song so perfectly describes, "from my head to my feet". Oh boy, I had joy. It was an amazing feeling that did not cease until we concluded "millions shall know Brother Jozef Again." Wow, I have felt things here at the MTC that I know I can never deny. I know God lives and that Jozef saw them in that sacred grove. I've memorized the first vision in Albanian and I love it even more:

   "Unë pashë në styll drite, tamam mbi kokën time, më e shkëlqeshme se dielli, e cila zbriti graduallisht, dërisa ra mbi mua. Kur drita pushoj mbi mua, unë pashë dy Personazhe, shkëlqimi i lavdia e te cilave i kapërcene të gjitha përshkrimet, duke qenduar mbi mua në ajer. Një prej tyre më foli, duke më thirrur në emer, dhe tha, duke treguar tjetrin, Ky është Birin Im i Dashur, Dëgjoje Atë!"

Well, I hope that was right, cause it was just from memory (If Benson reads this, don't judge me).

I was going to say more, but I feel this is what needed to be said. Thanks agian for all the support, I hope to hear from yall soon!

Love,

Elder Bangerter

P.S. Family use Dear Elder. Aka, I wanna hear from zou siblings about zour lives and your previous lives when zou were on missions!

Happy Elder Bangerter!!!

Week 2 (Sent Feb 12 2014)

Dear Family,

    Thank you for your letter. Life sounds like life. I know Claire did a great job of cleaning up all the tears when I left with all the fun you are all having. I love hearing updates. I'd love to hear more...BYU sports, Steven, hows grandma? Really I love to hear your journal entries and what you learn from each day...unless you don't keep a journal, I suggest you start it. 

    Quick note on that. I've recently started to write my journals in 3rd person. It may sound weird, but I've realized it makes going back to your entries real enjoyable and it gives a more wholistic feel to how your day went. It makes you think about your life as a story, and like I always say, live your life like a conference talk.

    Now when I say conference talk I mean this: you learn from every situation you are ever in and you're trying to live worthy enough to feel the spirit so you can have awesome spiritual experiences. And, I bet if you think back on the days and weeks that have past, you can imagine touching things said by a 4 year old, or how beautiful the sunset was you saw last night (btw, I think I've only seen the sun once since I've been here. The covered walkways don't help either, and the sunset last night was amazing)

    Each day I spend here brings to me a renewed sense of awe towards dad and you brothers. I think I understand more each day why you are who you are. The MTC changes you. You really become more mature and have a better outlook on life. I love thinking of you all eating lunch, or sitting in class, talking with companions, going to the temple...or playing 4 square.

    Now, I must say, 4 square was a thing of the past (specifically 3rd grade). However, it is now by far the most popular sport at the MTC. I now know why Adam wanted to put a court in the Big Room and why he and Andrew loved their jobs as coaches, (honestly, you guys don't do anything, but oh well, I'm sure YOU made the most of it) I'm pretty good at 4 square and hope to add it to the list of family events that we have (maybe we'll play for the orange vest or something). 

    Along with the ups come the downs. I've never been so tested in something before in my life. I've realized I've been given a lot of blessings which give me a great advantage over other Elders (I'm not comparing) who didn't grow up with a gospel oriented family and genealogy. But, just so you know, Albanian is so fun to learn and super....interesting. Just yesterday we finally learned how to somehow put sentences together only to find that the defining point of albanian, clitics, hadn't been taught yet (you should wikipedia what they are and such. Basic definition: a pro-pronoun that complicates to simply). Anyway, I've learned a lot from Ether 12:27 knowing that I need to be humble and that this weakness can become strong. I take great comfort in your sacrifices to learn languages, as well as the encouraging words from teachers and Albanian Elders in the field. All in all, it is great.

     One gospel principle we talked a lot about was how to begin teaching. I thought I'd heard everything, going to mission prep and all. However, I've found that most of the stuff I learn comes from myself. I learned a lot from Ammon's experience teaching Lamoni. What is the first thing he does? Serves aka Loves. He gives no glory to himself and all to God. First Love then Teach. Thats mostly all I've learned here. Once you love, everything else falls into place i.e. spirit, plan, doctrine, finding...etc. but if ye have not love, ye cannot teach -Bangerter 5:12

    Sundays (e diellë) are by far my favorite days of the weeks. I LOVE the devotionals. This week was Elder Zwick, afterwards I shook his hand and we exchanged words about grandpa Bangerter. He gave a great talk. However, the best part of sunday is singing in the choir. We sang 'Jesus Once of Humble Birth' and MAN! it was awesome (I just felt like Seth). I love singing first tenor and just booming it out with 400 others. I think the highlight of choir will come on this next Sunday (Never been done before). The President of UVU..uhum President Holland...will be speaking to us about Joseph Smith. Throughout the program however, an institute choir will sing Jospeh Smith's First Prayer or a Poor Wayfaring man of grief. At the end of the program...oh this is good...the institute choir along with the MTC choir will STAND (also never been done) and sing Praise to the Man! It'll be so amazing. Oh yeah side note, it's also his Mom's birthday so she might be there and you know what'll happen if his mom comes.....so I'm excited. :)

    I love you all so much and think about you every day. I am so grateful for your examples and steadfastness in the gospel. I realized a lot this week that a lot of the impact of my mission will be for my own family and ward experiences when I get home. But holy cow, I only have about a 100 weeks to do my assigned work, I gotta get crackin! 

Anyway, I love you and hope to hear from you soon,

Elder Bangerter

P.S. So my camera is acting weird but it is working, but don't be surprised if it blows up or something and I need a new one...just not yet.

PPS Also, my district loves my temple checklist, so if you could send 20 or so, that would be great!!!(grandma would love to I just know it!) 

PPPS So if I want to I could change my name to the Albanian spelling, which is very phonetic: Linkën Xhej Ilajxhah Benjgëtër, what do you think mom! I think I like LXIB better than LJEB.

Week 1 pictures

Week 1 (Sent February 5 2014)

Dear Family,

     (I've always wanted to use that phrase, so get used to it over the next two years!) As I left you at the curb, I apologize that no tears were shed by me. (I got all of those out as Dad dragged it out along the ride around the temple). This week has been really different than anything I've ever done. I've learned a lot, but more importantly I've realized that I'm super grateful for all the preparation that was given to me before my mission. I had no trouble studying because of BYU. The doctrine was sound cause of Mission Prep and SS and Seminary and FHE. Really, I've just had to step back and thank my heavenly father for all the blessings He's given me...cause I've got a lot.

    MTC life has been highly enjoyable because I have an obedient room. I love to just lay on my top bunk and have thanks that my day was productive and that I'm not in the room where everyone is talking :) So my question is Brothers and Lauren or whoever else, where did you stay in the MTC, now that I know it pretty well, It'd be cool to see where you all learned German or Romanian and grew into who you are now. 

     One aspect that completely took be by surprise was the strength that is found in districts and branches. Growing up, I always thought of merely companions...not districts. We had a wonderful branch meeting on Thursday night where we met the presidency. Our President is President Anderson, and the only reason he's not an apostle is because he's sposed to be teaching us. He is soft spoken. Yet he as an ability like Dad to be no-nonsense, always instilling within us the desire to become a good father and a good person; clean, polite, and loving. He also has practically all scripture memorized.

     During the meeting, each missionary spoke of their desire to serve and the reasons behind it. I mentioned that my true desire to serve came when I was a home teacher with Brother Van der Beek. When the ward split, I had to leave my families, and it was really hard. For the first time, I discovered the love a missionary can have for his families. To make this point hit home more for me, as I was in our study hall, I saw brother (President) Parrish at the end of the hall. I was shocked to see this giant of a man whom I had just spoke of due to the fact that I home taught the Parrishes. He was so happy to see me and he couldn't stop giving me hugs :) We took a picture at the temple and I think he may have already talked to you...I'll see him a lot because his branch is on our floor. 

    Our Branch consists of us Albanians, the Finns, and the Hungarians. It also includes a lot of other languages, but there are no missionaries learning those yet. Our floor also includes, Malaysians, and Indonesians. My district has four companionships: Me and Elder Watson (Minnesota), Elder Asler (Ahshler-from Croatia) and Elder Schramm (NM and WI), District Leader Smoot and Elder Myers(AZ), and the Motrat (Sisters), Motra Vermunt and Martin (Both Canadians and proud of it !) My Schedule is simple, shower, eat, study, eat, study, eat, study, sleep. I say sleep but it's probably more like a nap (I get that from Mom. btw I;m eating healthy. I've only had 2 root-beers in the 7 days I've been here! sadly they have no cheerios and fruit loops are no substitute)

     One of our Branches duties is to set up for the devotionals on Sunday and Tuesday. I'm grateful for all the prep I had in young mens, doing that week after week. (everything pays off, I've already played the piano twice) But the more important things about the devotionals is what is said. Sunday night I had one of the greatest experiences of  my life.

     We watched a film of Elder Bednar speaking to the MTC. Honestly, going in, I thought I might be too exhausted to watch a film of someone speaking---- I was wrong. Elder Bednar's talk 'Character of Christ' hit me harder than ANY words have every done in my life before. His talk focused on what we felt; I discovered teh joy and purpose of becoming a missionary who is consecrated, on who "turns out when others turn in". He taught that after Christ had been tempted by satan 3 times, that angels came around him to comfort him. However, through JST, we learn that the angels went to John who was in prison to comfort him. And so we see that the Lord, in one of his most trying times, turned out to John instead of turning in to himself to provide comfort. It made me realize that someone else ALWAYS needs help more than me. I've seen that here as I've given blessings, received promptings to participate, bear testimony and then see the positive effects it has on others. I've seen it as I've prayed not for myself, but for my companion, my district, and you all at home. I know that as we turn outward that we will be blessed. Elder Bednar made the brilliant point that, "You should be your greatest convert, but it will only happen if you don't think about it" In other words, stop trying to change and convert yourself, help others, think of their needs, and THEN you will become converted. Ah, so good. I loved it. 

     Well if you are anything like me when it comes to missionary letters, you probably are skimming really fast and not really picking anything out. If you did that, read the paragraph above this one cause its the most important of the letter. For those who took 20 minutes of their day to read this, I hope you got something out of my testimony. 

     I've grown a lot this week. We've already taught 3 lessons entirely in Shqip (Albanian) and its....coming :) 

     Une di te Jezu Krishti eshte Birrin e Perendise dhe Jozef Smithi eshte nje profeti e vertete. Falendroj per familje time, dhe Ungilli. Dua ju, dhe Zoti, dhe gjethe Libri i Mormonit. Gjethe eshte vertete.

 (I know Jesus Chist is the Son of God and Josef Smith is a true prophet. I'm grateful for my family and the gospel. I love you and the Lord and the entire Book of Mormon. All is true)

There's a taste of Albanian, it has a lot of e's with umlauts but I can't type that.

I hope you all have great week. Adam, Claire, Lauren, Andrew, Seth, and Steven, I think of all of you all the time. Wow, I'm grateful for my family.

Love

Elder Bangerter

(feel free to delete what you will in the email to anyone else)

P.S. I still think 'Elder Bangerter is Seth. Also Germans, I met a sister brastch(?-I think that's wrong) who is here as a missionary who is from Berlin. She says she remember's all of you and going out and teaching with Lauren

P.P.S. Please, Please thank the Haymonds for their gift of cookies, fruit snacks and the ward directory of Tiran. I don't know their address, but let them know that all the above was highly enjoyed and continues to be enjoyed. Get well Isaac (Eliza told me)

P.P.P.S. let Austin fullmer get my letters and Is it possible to send some sticky stuff so I can hang up pictures in my apartment? Thanks.

P.P.P.P.S. Family, do you remember when the sister missionaries came over to our house and asked if I knew a boy in high school that they were teaching/activating? Well, I just saw him in the MTC in his 9th week leaving to Korea this week. Miracles Happen.

(Note From Seth: If you would like to read the talk its at this link http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/transcripts/religionsymposium/2003_01_25_bednar.htm)