Dear Family,
This week has been so great! Our goal this week was to focus on Baptismal Dates and we have 2! Both of them are on the 14th of June. One is Ismet, a 55 year old with 2 teenage boys. We had a Plan of Salvation lesson with him this week that was the best one this transfer! He is so fun and loving. I love him because he finishes my sentences for me. Sometimes i don't know how to decline a noun (that means say it right), and I'll say the first half and he'll finish it for me, making my sentences perfect! Our second investigator with a baptismal date is named Hazir, a white haired husband and father with a job AND a car! When he came to church last week he immediately said hello to our member Milaim. Apparently they've been friends for 30 years! I don't know if you remember, that that is the second time that's happened in the past 3 weeks! Both of them are very genuine happy men which is very refreshing! Sometimes it seems like the only people we find are a little crazy, asking for money, or some way to america!
Sunday was actually a monumental day in the history of Kosovo. To my knowledge, the first Ward Mission Leader and first Primary President were called in the country's history! Right after church we had the first correlation with him--Betim, a 23 year old that was baptized last week! He really wants to get the work rolling!
As you know, I love miracles! This week has been full of them. I take great strength in reading Joe and Jake's emails about miracles and Muslims. I know that Heavenly Father, and his servant Elaine Garlick, is helping his missionaries! I'll mention a few of these instances.
We were walking to tract some apartments when we hear someone yell, "Hey Mormons!" We go over to a man, 50s, who was sitting at a locale having a kafe with an Albanian lady. He introduced himself: from Colorado, has the highest respect for mormons (he had a lot of friends), works here in Kosovo and has been doing so for the past 15 years off-and-on. He introduced us to this Albanian and said, "I've been helping this lady and I think that she'd be a good...candidate for whatever you do. But I'm sorry she doesn't speak english." "Well, we actually speak Albanian." He was pleasantly shocked. He then asked us to tell her that he had the highest respect for the church and would highly recommend us to meet with her. It was the best non-member referral we've ever received! We will hand her off to the sisters this week! It is so amazing to meet people that really are prepared!
I am grateful for the time that have here in Kosovo to learn and grow. Each day I learn so many little things. For me, I love the study time, time to really grow my testimony and then to go out and test/exercise it on the street. This week I've grown in my testimony of prayer, faith, Joseph Smith, gratitude, and priesthood authority. I could right a whole letter on each of those things! So, I realize that the all encompassing theme that I've found is exactly that. The gospel is all encompassing, it is full. We have the FULLNESS of the gospel. Others try so hard, but really we have it all! Wow, don't forget to be grateful for what you have!
I love you and think about each one of you every night! I love picturing Adam, Dad, Michael, Todd, Andrew, Seth, and Lauren on their missions!
It is true mom, the world seems smaller and smaller every day. I can't believe Dad saw Joe, that is so awesome! Keep me updated on any mission calls that come in and people that leave!
Love, Elder Bangerter
P.P.S. Andrew, we ran into some çuns (boys) on the street and he said that his uncle was a member of the church in germany. I asked where, and he said I think hamburg! So I don't know if you would remember an albanian named Gjengj Gjokaj? Have fun down at NCST!
P.P.S. Lauren, Seth and Steven, I'd love to hear from y'all (i look forward to your accent seth)
P.P.P.S. Dad, Adam, and Claire you're not off the hook either! But thank you for your letters!
P.P.P.P.S. Mom is just so so...consistent, right Adam!?
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