Dear Family!
Oh, I think I will officially retire as the family song writer. I have found that anytime I want to change anything, that you all just decide to go and change it up on me! Mom might be consistent, but you siblings have to step it up! I am so grateful for all of you...all 24 of you. I believe that number will be stable for at least for a week.
Hello from Vlore! This time I'm really in Vlore. This week has been very fast! We had a district leader training on Monday, Zone Conference on Tuesday, Interviews with President Weidmann on Wednesday, and 2 exchanges in our district! We were movin, movin, movin. That is also how the work is coming along, namely with a couple--Albano and Kristi.
Albano was a referral from an investigator (who then lost interest...the investigator, not Albano). Albano, in turn, brought Kristi, his girlfriend. They are so amazing. They come to church, read their scriptures, pray, come to institute (Wed and Sat nights), and meet with us at least 3 times a week. I am so grateful to inherit these investigators from the missionaries that have come before me. Their Baptims will actually be on Friday the 15th! We are very excited for them, for they will become strong members. In fact, after the last lesson, Albano asked, "So after this baptism, is there a way...can I...how can...how soon can I apply for a mission?" We were just exstatic and explained that he can set a goal to go in a year after his baptism. (He then asked about couple missions, but we clarified that :). Please pray for them, Albano and Kristi (for the little neicessssssss[thats 8 s's right?] think of Albania and Christ, they're similar! And I don't think HF will be mad if you mix up the names!)
This week was also a great blessing for the Elders in Prishtina. Hazir was baptized! Remember, we found he and Ismet, independently, 5 minutes apart from each other on the street, and now both are members of the church. Just typing that gives me the chills. Elder Watson, my MTC companion, was able to baptize him. The other Elders in Prishtne also had 4 other baptisms on that day as well! I am so glad that the work is progressing up there! I don't know how lucky I was! Keep praying for Ismet and Hazir (girls, try thinking of Easy and Hair. Jay and Noah, my namesakes, I know you can pronounce it too, and keep holding down the fort)
The work down here in Vlora has a lot to do with recent converts. We have about 8 that we are to be meeting with regularly...and we'll add 2 this week. It is amazing to meet some of these members and think that they have only been members since January, or April!
Because this week I went on an exchange, I was able to serve with Elder Wilcox, a trainee, fresh from the MTC. And so, naturally, we talked about how great the MTC really was. Mom and Dad, if you just go to the MTC, your mission would be worth it. I know that if anyone can serve as senior missionaires, that you two would be the favorite couple of the mission. In fact this week, our senior couple, the Andrews, had 3 children visiting and I thought that I would love to visit you two in Portugal (just kidding, Brazil works too!)
Days are long, the weather is really, really hot 90's all week. But I know that the Gospel is true. I know that we have a living prophet. This week I was privileged to teach a lesson about how missionaries get their mission calls. I explained to a few of the Recent Converts and Members that an apostle of the Lord sees your face, says your name, and assigns you a mission. They all just gasped in awe at the revealitory power of the restored priesthood of God! I know the priesthood works and directs God's Church today. I know that the Book of Mormon is True and that anybody that truly reads it will know of Gods love for them! I love you all. God blesses us with little miracles and, as Elder Garlick says, "look for the mural of miracles" The stars, the trees, the clouds, each part of your body, a little baby, all of these things are miracles of God! And how blessed are we to be children of that God. I know he lives, and I'm proud to be his representative.
Love,
Elder Bangerter
P.S. I know that George Strait song touches a few of our hearts
P.P.S
Here are some pictures of our trip to Porto Plermo, just south of Vlore. THis castle is on a little peninsula, and It felt like I was in the count of monte cristo or something! It was super cool...but super hot. The islands in the background are greece!
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