(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)
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