Një javë plot me MREKULLI! (Sent October 13th)

Dear Family,

It has been a week of miracles. I love how a lot of miracles come at the end of the week. Cause if they came at the beginning, where's the faith? Actually, that's not true; in fact on Tuesday (beginning of the week) we had an awesome experience;

  

 We got to the house of an investigator, and didn't really know what we were going to teach. After a prayer at the gate, we went in and had a great lesson on prayer. At the end, she asked, "how did you prepare this lesson for me''. Elder Fowles explained that we actually didn't really know, until we said a prayer outside her house, and that God guided us. She started crying because of the spirit. She really wants to be baptized, has read all the revealed standard works, but just has those little family problems! Please pray for her. 

One of the goals by President Weidmann is that we get a new baptismal date each week. Well, we try and try, and sometimes it's hard. Then, Saturday came. We had planned 3 lessons for the day; a make-it-or-brake-it-lesson, and 2 lessons from people we had met on the street. Thankfully, we had planned with the spirit and had a confident lesson plan for each lesson. Those plans REALLY helped us. By the end of the first lesson with the Veizaj family, the younger sister accepted a baptismal date, and the mother's (she was the one that was a baptized Greek Orthodox) only concern was that her health wouldn't permit her to go all the way in the water. We committed her to pray about baptism. They both came to conference and loved it! Please pray for them. I really know that they will be awesome because after our lesson with them we asked if they could help us coordinate efforts to get a member that lived close to them find a way to church. They were SO willing to help and even walked with us to that members house. Sadly we found out the member had moved away, but the important thing we learned is that this family is ready to help us serve!

We were so grateful for this wonderful blessing of a baptismal date. But the Lord had more in store for us. The next two lessons consisted of 1)two sisters (33 and 15) whose father had just passed away, and who had had contact with some christian missionaries in their far-away village, many years ago, and 20\) a 15 yr old boy, Kevin. In Kevin's lesson, after the First Vision, I bore testimony, Elder Fowles bore testimony and then we posed the question, "So what do you think and feel about this." He replied, "E di se Joseph pa ata gjithashtu. (I know that he saw them too)" We were floored; our new investigator was bearing testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel. As a result of these lessons, all 3 accepted baptismal dates. 

  Now these miracles were not done cause we worked so hard. No, we recognized God's will which was made manifest to our Mission President, which in turn was made manifest through our words to these investigators. We received "confirming revelation" for our mission president's goal (see Elder Eyrings talk from conference)

  Speaking of conference, it was awesome. It is interesting to think that my first Sunday here in Albania was in April conference (Dad, I almost said 'weird' instead of 'interesting' but I didn't :) And now, here I am, seeing my trainee try to understand a word or two from the mouths of the prophets. Meanwhile, I'm getting spiritually enriched! My heart is full of gratitude that the gift of tongues was given to me the past 6 months. But, lets be real, I didn't understand everything, I still  got a long way to go before I understand Conference talks word for word!

During conference I had a few notes that I'd like to share:

• In the Bible, Christ asks a man if he will leave his parents for God, posing in a sense the question, " If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother. . .he cannot be my disciple." I know that this scripture is very spiritual in meaning, but it always gave me a bad feeling. "How could I ever hate my father or mother!?" It always bothered me. Until I realized, "Well, MY parents are IN God's path. Both my earthly and heavenly parents are united in their purpose, because they are sealed together. My family is as eternal as God's! I couldn't leave my parents for God, for leaving them would require leaving God. I am BLESSED that they are one and the same!" I've seen here that some people have to leave their family in a sense to follow. I'm just glad we all left the ''foolish traditions of our fathers'' many generations ago, so that we don't have to do it now!
• During Conference a recent convert asked me, "Who is the Mission President of the world?" I said, "He is, President Monson" "No really, who is?" "No, I'm serious it's President Monson." I think that short exchange really left us both realizing the divinity of our calling as missionaries, our mission president is our prophet!
• The words of a presiding authority are always the most powerful. All can speak with the spirit, but authority is something special. How come in Conference, the Twelve's talks have a different feeling that a Seventy's? How come in Stake Conference we all wait to hear the words of the President? Even a Deacons Quorum President is looked up to in his vision for his quorum. A Mission President's words are most powerful when directed to his missionaries; a father's words, to his family; a teacher's words, to his students; a district leader's words, to his district; An individual's words, to himself. Use the power of God-given revelation!
• President Monson reminds me of Grandma Bangerter, please give her my love and I hope to see her when I get home!
• Dad, I'm sure you loved hearing Portugese!

I love you all! Good luck with school, work, and everything that God wants you to do. Steven, be proud to be a caveman! You're making me proud! All you other siblings can still be proud too (be it of cougar, wildcat, wolfpack, or micro-chip(Lincoln Labs) or foot(PT school)! 

I think of you all the time! I pray for you every night and I'm so grateful for your prayers

-Ju Dua! Elder Bangerter

(title translation: A week full of miracles)

Tëtor ka ardhur! (Sent October 6th)

Dear Family,

Well I have a lot of really good thoughts running through my mind. I'll guess I'll start with conference...or at least the 1/5th part I saw this morning (Sunday Morning Session). They'll be watching all of it as Albanians next week. A really interesting thing happened during that session. The speakers kept saying. "Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, listen to what he says, obey." Then we had the opportunity to hear President Monson 2 minutes later who said, "Follow Jesus Christ and his path of temptation, pain \, obedience, service, and prayer." I was anticipating the prophets words, and was pleasantly inspired as he focused on following Christ. Following the Prophet is just following Christ.

  President Eyring

I also loved President Eyring's talk [I love his talks so much, I always feel like I have a connection to him. Thank you Seth for the USB with all his talks on it!]. As a missionary, there is so much council to follow and it is good to do so. However, President Eyring hit the nail on the head saying ''we can receive the gift of confirming revelation'', truly internalizing the doctrine and making it your own! It is so important for missionaries to want to do what has been asked. "I will go and do what the LORD has commanded" I also reflected warmingly on the countless nights I checked in with mom and dad. I'm grateful you set that bar for us! 

 Elder Hales

He talked about when he looked into the sky and wondered about the gospel. In my mind, I remembered the (also) countless times that I layed in my bed in Claire's old room, looking up at the ceiling-stars and really asking myself "who am I, where did I come from, what is my purpose?" I loved how he just hit home the relationship of the Father ad the Son. That would've been a trinity believers worst nightmare! May you all take to heart "Elder Hale's Promise" that is also quoted in Moroni 10:4-5.

Well I am super happy down here with my new companion Elder Fowles. I looked if we had any relation to Henry Fowles Watson....finding out that I have no idea why Grandpa Watson's middle name was Fowles? Anyway, I couldn't have asked for a better companion. He is a testimony that God answers prayers. He's from Sterling, Utah, went to Manti High, and played football with Colin Haymond (who's grandparents were senior couples here in Albania). His family is 12 kids, he loves horses, hunting, football, and the gospel. He is really obedient and super willing to learn from me. He really reminds me of a mix between Jake and Jay, except he's younger than me! I love having the Utah accent back in my life! We are really excited to do work; to live up to the names of the 9 siblings we have had serve missions, and the combined 25 nieces and nephews that are looking up to us! (Dad, his father served a mission on the Indian reservations and I was wondering if he might know your friend you went there)

I spent the first two days this week in Fier, waiting with another Elder to get our trainees. We had a very successful two days together and had a blast teaching and had a great opportunity to give a blessing. 

We then got our trainees. I was happy to see my MTC companion Elder Watson there, also ready to train. 

The spirit is abounding with us. Every time we teach a lesson or contact someone on the street, Elder Fowles exclaims, "Man, that was so cool! This feels so awesome!" He finds the joy in the little things. I'm glad we're rubbing off on each other. 

We are working as hard as ever and we ask for your prayers. Like Uncle Cory said, "Pray for the conversion of the people." I couldn't ask for anything more. Sometimes, people don't get it. But, how grateful I am for the knowledge that I've gained.

Thanks for all you do. I pray for each one of you every night. 

Love, Elder Bejngëdër dhe Elder Faullz

1-Goodbye Elder Penrod

2-Fier Exchange

3-Elder Fowles trained by Elder Bangerter trained by AP Elder Linderman

4-Rainy days in Vlore

Awesome Follow Up Story of Kosovo! (Also sent September 29th)

Ok Family another quick letter update.

So I just emailed one of the sisters in Prishtina, Kosovo to ask about how it is all going. She goes home this week, but shetold us that Shyeta was baptized! If you don't remember here is an excpert from my letter dated May 26th:

 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! 

Yep, she was baptized! I am so glad that on that random day that I was ready to be a representative of Chirst!

Love, Elder Bangerter

Elder TBD (Sent September 29th)

Dear Family,

  Well, it's true. The name of my new companion is unknown. He'll be flying in from America tomorrow. I will be bidding farewell to Elder Penrod, who will be going up to Kosovo! I'm excited for him and I'll know he'll do great things up there. I'll be staying here in Vlore for the next 3 months....Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years! Wow! That seems so far away, but it is neat to know where I will be. 

       We had a great final week together, one of the best on my mission. I feel that Elder Penrod was successful in handing over all the knowledge he had of this area, especially before he leaves. (and I can't call him, because he'll now be in a different country!) 

Happy Birthday Claire! Abby, Eliza, Jay, Emma, be obedient! She was my 'mom' before she was your mom, so behave! Claire, I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful sister to look up to and to talk about! I think about you all the time!

      This week I asked myself one of those questions. You know, the type of question that goes something like, "what is my purpose, why am I here?"  A classic question that can never be exhausted. My mind reflected on my life in High School and even back to Elementary School. I always thought I was an obedient boy, a good boy. I attribute this to loving parents and siblings who showed me great examples. Yet, I realized that even when I was alone, I had a conscience tell me 'this is good, that is bad'. I always thought that everyone had such a conscience of decisiveness, telling you what to do. But then I found people here without direction and I wonder, 'don't they know that's wrong?' My mind has reflected back to when I was baptized, and afterwards I received the Holy Ghost. I realized, "Oh, that voice I've always heard was the Holy Ghost! I was given it when I was 8 years old! Now it makes sense!" I then discovered that I've heard the holy Ghost my whole life. The experience reminded me much of Dad's experience in Portugal. Then, suddenly, in all my lessons everyone would ask for direction, or happiness. My answer was always, "Well, when we get the Holy Ghost we have direction and he shows us what to do. But we only get that after we are baptized. A më kupton? (do you understand?)" Everything truly points to Baptism. And so, what is my purpose here. To invite others to receive the direction and light I've abundantly received by means of the Holy Ghost! Like seth always said, 'If you can get them to love [a principle] as much as you, then they'll become converted, etc.." I then found the scripture that described this process 

             "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." 

      Note that in the bible 'with the holy ghost' is not mentioned. How greatful I am for the Book of Mormon and it's pure translation. now, I know that throughout my life as I hungered and thirsted to be good, I was filled with direction. I think that scripture describes well our families attitude! We just do those good things. Claire I think of you, "Lincoln, Bangerter Boys don't do [so-and-so]" Thank you all for making me hunger and thirst after righteousness! Kristiana (baptized a month and a half ago) gave a talk on Sunday, short but sweet. Albano and Klodi are awesome recent converts and we were able to visit their parents this week! 

I know this church is true, I know that I am where I am supposed to be. I beleive I'm only starting to believe what people mean when they say 'I was sent there for specific reasons'. Please pray for my new trainee, the bishop and the ward (especially because 6 members are currently en route for the Frankfurt Temple), Kreshnik and Eljona, Ismet and Hazir, and the Merkaj and Veizaj families. 

I love you all, thank you for your care and prayer!

Love, Elder Bangerter

P.S. Happy Birthday Aunt Julie, Uncle Grant, Jenny, and Benj!

Pictures sent September 22nd

1. A nerf gun Pday. Elder Wilcox wants to be a cop when he grow up. This is us making a plan before the ocean liner in the background leaves for America!

2. Maybe Be Still my soul turned into piano man? I don't know how E. Penrod got this picture.

3. Companion Study at the church!

4. A great baptism of Klodi Merkaj!

Lutja, Lushnjë, dhe Liahona (Sent September 22)

Dear Family, 

   Well, another week has gone by, and yes they fly! Thank you for all the pictures of Grandma's funeral. I'm grateful to now have one more person to help me in MY work! I'll be sure to look my best for Grandma Marlene! (I guess I can't forget to polish my shoes, and wear my CTR ring!) Also, congrats to the Best Young Ushtarët (soldiers), I am so proud to attend a university founded by the church. They are just one example of righteous living and great blessing!

  This week the church was also blessed to add to its ranks, another stripling soldier: Klodi Merkaj! Now, if you don't remember, Klodi is the little brother of Albano, who was baptized a month ago. Albano was found through an investigator that didn't turn out. But because of that investigator found in May, 3 baptisms have occurred, and 4 more potential/actual investigators are being taught. Klodi is a humble kid. He is going to school to be a mechanic of some sort and rides his bike everywhere. He is always smiling! His testimony has grown from reading the Book of Mormon. I didn't know how strong his testimony was until he bore it at his baptism, saying, "Hello, thank you all for coming, I know this is true, and all of you need to invite your friends so that they can hear about the gospel too! . . . In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Also at his baptism Albano gave a talk which was really good for him. He is growing to be a good member and will receive a calling very shortly. 

  Elder Penrod have been enjoying these last two weeks together. Ever since the big exchange, and finding out we were related, our lesson quality has shot-up as well as our overall demeanor as missionaries. One huge blessing we had this week was to give 3 more priesthood blessings. The moment we have to give a blessing is choice, and it really brings a companionship closer together. I believe that we are both only discovering the type of missionaries that we can be! It has been really fun to discover together--in the language, in teaching, and in all the miracles that we see. 

  The biggest miracle came last Monday, right after I emailed you. We had just had a lesson cancel and we really didn't know what to do. But, we decided to take a 'tithing' out of our finding time to pray and seek for the Lord's direction. After the prayer, Elder Penrod had the idea to visit a member in her book shop, "A referral is better than anything right?" So, we stopped by, but she was busy, and we didn't really have the amazing experience we were hoping to have. However, I then had the thought to visit another Less-Active-Recent-convert Sister who worked at a nearby flower shop. So, off we went again, expecting just to say hi, check up, and invite her to church. When we walked into the beautiful flower shop, this Sister stopped what she was doing and said, "Oh, I am so glad you are here. We need a little spiritual uplift. Come in and share a scripture with us. We need it." Her daughter and son-in-law expressed the need that they had for guidance through this hectic time in their lives! I was shocked! I thought this type of stuff only happened on missions...oh wait, that's me! I couldn't believe we were led to someone that ended up having a specific need. We continued to teach them about something that was dear to us by this point: Prayer. We invited them to pray and to come to church. Her Orthodox son-in-law couldn't stop explaining how he got tingles and weird feelings when he prayed. We just smiled, knowing he was feeling the spirit. We left that flower shop on cloud nine. It was an amazing experience. So amazing in fact, that our next lesson consisted of sharing this miracle to a member-family, and "both were edified" by what was taught. It was a good feeling to know that I was at the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time. 

 Well, that was Monday. On Tuesday we had the awesome opportunity to go to Zone Conference in Lushnjë. President Weidmann is so spiritual and strong and Swiss! I love how simply he takes the most basic scriptures and then makes them so DEEP! It really has inspired me to get the most out of every verse of scripture. One cool thing happened to president this week. He was able to meet with the First Lady of Albania, bringing the church out of obscurity! (right now we are looked at as a 'foundation' but hopefully we will be recognized as a 'church'). We love growing closer to President. Also, with modern technology, each morning he sends out a text to the mission, scirptures, thoughts, challenges. Its like a modern Liahona! I'm sure Nephi just had a cell phone!

  Well after the Baptisms Friday, and the confirmation Sunday, I knew that we had been very blessed this week.

  I know that questions are answered in Prayer! The key to revelation is prayer...real prayer, which takes, in the words of President Eyring, "more than a little time, and more than a little effort" I've made the extra sacrifice to kneel, whisper or vocalize, and truly think and thank. My prayers have truly been answered. Also, read, read, read the conference talks. I often think to what I learned in Living Prophets taught by Brother Lloyd Newell who said, "Often I reflect and think, wow, I'm so glad I don't have to teach a class on dead prophets. I get to teach one on living prophets!" This concept is something that only OUR church has, utilize it. Just like old scripture, every word is in that Liahona for a reason! I suggest "The Priesthood Man" by President Eyring and "The Witness" by President Packer and "Love--the Essence of the Gospel" by President Monson. Again, read EVERY word for meaning. Highlight, reread! It will answer your questions! 

  Well enough exhorting. I'm just glad to have the opportunity to study all the time, and then to go and teach people about it. 

  Please pray for the Merkaj Family (Albano, and Klodi, and the rest of their family that we are going to visit this week), the Veizaj Family (Kristi's family (she is Albano's fiancee that was also baptized)), and also Taulant, Ismet, and Hazir (investigators/members in Prishtina). All have need for your prayers...way more than I have need!

   Well, I know it is a long letter but I'd like to share my last bit of fun insight that I always think about: 

      Going home to Heavenly Father will be like watching our senior/eagle video, the one that brother Morris would make, or the one that came from all the pictures on Dad's computer. Think about it. Every time you watch that video you love it! You feel the love of your family! You cry! But now imagine a video for your whole life, including ALL the videos and pictures you want, with your favorite soundtrack. Now, such a video would probably take half a day to watch, but it would be worth it, because every minute you are watching it with Heavenly Father...and you are both laughing, smiling, and crying. Thankfully, all the bad parts are taken out, leaving you with a great video of your life. A life that Heavenly Father approves of. I can't wait to watch that video!

  I had that thought because some of my happiest memories have come when we were watching our senior\eagle videos as a family. I hope you feel His love everyday, and live you life like a Conference Talk, learning from everything you do!

Love you all more than I can express. I'm grateful for eternal families. Have a wonderful week!

  -Elder Bangerter

 P.S. Dad and Brothers, Michael and Todd, you're included. I was wondering if you could send me a timeline of your missions A list of your areas, your assignments in your areas(DL or Traning etc.), and maybe one or two cool highlights. I want to see/remember what you did to serve. Don't forget to include the names of your areas and your companions and maybe even who they were. hopefully you'll remember your mission as you do this. I know that you'll love doing this! Lauren, you can do it too!

Family in Paradise (Sent September 15)

Dear Family,

   Well, hello from paradise! Actually "Parajsë" is the name of our area, which means paradise! I'll tell you, paradise is a wonderful place! As we read from the scriptures, a place of rest, a place of peace, where we can rest from all our troubles and from all care, and sorrow. I know that Grandma Garlick loved here 'pair-of-dice' up in Heber. Who knows, paradise is wherever you make it. I pray that you may all feel the peace of paradise this week. The Plan of Salvation is really true. I am praying for Grandma Marlene.

   Down in paradise we have had some amazing miracles. 

   The members in Albania have an opportunity in a couple weeks to go on their annual Temple Trip to Frankfurt. From Vlore, we have 4 members attending. The senior couple asked me to help a few of them enter in their family names into Family Search. I gladly accepted...even though the time spent didn't add to our 'physical, weekly numbers', it definitely added a lot more people to the lists in heaven. We were very pleasantly surprised when this family, the Metaj family, came to the church with 2 pedigree charts full of their family history. Albanians are very good at keeping their family history. We were able to submit 28 names to the temple system, and I believe over 171 ordinances will be performed...all from this family. I'm grateful to participate in that part of the work, the part that a majority of mankind is participating in, a work that eventually we ALL we be active participants (hopefully, not too soon :) 

   Meanwhile, Albano and Kristi are progressing well. Albano showed up to church and asked for a white shirt. We gladly provided, seeing that he was about to be ordained a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. It was a nice ordinance, performed by one of the returned missionaries in the ward, Marseille Hoxhaj. Another neat thing was that Klodi, Albano's little brother who will be baptized on the 19th, was able to witness it in his own white shirt and tie. Albano also is going to get a calling soon, maybe the Young Men's 1st councilor.

  This week, President Weidmann has asked that we pray for a family, every single day. When I first heard this, I just thought, "Oh, Grandpa Garlick, you were ahead of your time weren't you! How much my mission president would love to have you here to share YOUR vision of ' A Family A Day'". Grandpa, that is the vision of our mission! More specifically, to find a family before the end of the year! We would appreciate your prayers as we seek to fulfill this goal!

   Our district down here has been very blessed. One little blessing is we know how to sing. During our district meetings, we kinda just soak in the sound. It is the closest thing I've felt to singing around the piano!  We were surprised (yet not, because we know that we all have connections with heaven through revelation) that we were asked by the Zone Leaders to sing, as a district, a musical number at the Zone Conference tomorrow. What did we choose? Hark all ye nations! You all know why we love that song! 

   Well, I guess I'll just let you know that I love you all. I am so grateful to live in such a faithful family. We have often heard 'chosen generation' and how we were all 'held back' to come forth at this time in history. Well, on that thought, I was just overcome with gratitude when I realized that my family was filled with those 'noble and great ones'. Each one of you really is amazing, and is evidence of Heavenly Father's love for us. Familje janë të Përjetshme. Families are Forever. 

 

I love you all, 

 Dëgjofshemi! (Literally: May we get heard together!)

Elder Bangerter

   

P.S. I heard that Sister Nelson just spoke and said the best way to prepare for conference is to do some family history work. Well, I second it! (but new york abstains-1776)

P.P.S. So a Sister Maxwell is in my district. It turns out, her Grandpa was a mission President in Brazil in '78 and her dad went to high school down there with Aunt Duella! Sadly, Dad left to Portugal before they could see each other! But still, it is a small world. Sister Maxwell has a deep love for Brazil, having memories of her dad reading Portuguese scriptures to her at night. (personally, I'm glad dad SANG to us in Portuguese, and read us things that we could understand, like Heidi, Kidnapped, etc.)

1-This is me with one of the Recent Converts, Amarildo Zëqiri! He is a really nice 16 year old, and likes to listen to american music

2-Us and Klodi, Albano's little Brother. He is the one that will be baptized on Friday! He is going to make a great missionary one day!

Covenants and Cousins (Sent September 8th)

Dear Family, 

  Well the news from back home is quite awesome! I started looking at the BYU TX video and thought that it was just reruns from last years game. Only when I saw '2014' in the subtitle did I realize that we just became like Nephi and Lehi the missionaries-- 'ferocious (mountain)lions' Good win cougs. 

  Well while my counterpart has been cutting off some of Varsity's horns, I've been trying to do the same to Mr. Devils. This week we've been very blessed by finding new investigators through the members. The people that YOU bring are way better than the people we find ourselves! 

  My previous sentence reminded me of something that I learned from Heber J Grant (?) about avoiding temptation. He would remark that when he had a temptation in front of him that he knew he must avoid he would say to himself out loud, "oh no Mr. Devil, not this time" This, in turn, was able to turn his thoughts away from the prideful aspirations or selfish desires, and toward his purpose as a holder of the priesthood. As a missionary, I've probably been tempted more than any other time in my life. The world is truly worldly, bud God is truly Godly. I just listened to a talk by Elder Eyring that talked about staying on Gods side of the line. If we really just stay on Gods side, the Devil will have not power upon us. Now, why is this important?

  Well, sometimes God likes to test us. We have temptation after temptation, or just day after long-day, and we feel tired, we may want to quit. But, if we have those back up plans--hymns or scriptures in our head, a positive 'Enjoy It' attitude--then, when the moment of testing takes place--being worthy to give a blessing or teach a lesson--we'll be ready to act and obtain those blessings that are in store for us. This is the process of enduring to the end; doing our duty all day every day. Now, it might sound like a bit much but don't worry, you've been doing it your whole life and there is no need to feel scared about it now! Yes, you've made very important covenants with Heavenly Father, but don't let them scare you. He knows we are inadequate. He didn't make covenants for perfect people. We are here to use the covenant to remind us of Christ's perfection and how we can use it to perfect ourselves. So, next time you feel like you're inadequate, you're in good company--just about every prophet, apostle, and the new bishop sitting up on the stand.  What did the Lord do? He gave to men weakness that they may be humble, and his grace is sufficient, that if men will humble themselves before him, he will make the weaknesses become strong unto them. For example, Albanian is not the easiest thing in the world. But an 'enjoy it' attitude and a 'go forth in faith' determination make any communication possible. Sometimes I look back and think, "wow, look at what the Lord helped me do...now think, if I can learn a language, I can obviously go and do this 'marvelous work'. " 

   Well a marvelous thing was also discovered this week by Elder Penrod and I. You all know that I love to live up to my 2nd middle name, as stated in the family song: E - li - jah. We were looking back at our family history and found a common name, Walker. So we went further and further back until we both found John Walker, the son of Simeon Walker. Simeon fought at fort Ticonderoga in the Revolutionary War and John was baptized in his life and was with the saints, through and through, all the way to Utah. He was at Hauns Mill. We also found his patriarchal blessing. In his blessing it says that he will serve on the isles of the sea (something he didn't get to do). It also said he'd have health and strength and many, many other blessings. This blessing touched us most when we read the words, "This blessing will extend to your children, and your children's children." Well, that's us. 2 of us serving in Albania, an isle of the sea. It has really brought a couple of 5th cousins closer together!  I would suggest you look it up. 

   I know that god lives and that he really is directing this work, who are companions are (temporal or eternal), and every experience that we have. And with all of this, we learn that 'it will all be for our good!' I love this work and I love you all too!

Love, 

Elder Bangerter!

PS-Dad, I saw the full moon too...Isn't it amazing it is the same moon.

PPS-Where is Emily going?

PPPS-well I hope 'she loves me' was super good and that you enjoyed the song that Steven and I would always sing around the house, "well, well, well, well, well, well..,"

   

Hello from Vlorë! (Sent September 1st)

Familja e dashur,
   "Vlore is kinda sleepy 'till about September 1st, but we'll fill font, 'till its ready to burst. We're missionaries, never making noise, blue and green ties and the Vlorak boys..." 

Well, I'll get to one of those Vlorak boys later but first...Yes, it is September! BYU has started it's football season! Congrats on the win, I knew you could beat UCONN. It was so cool to hear that we had a great family representation at the game...grandma garlick is proud I'm sure. 

  One other thing that started this week was our stay at our new house. Yep! I believe I'm ready for marriage and all that jazz because I just sealed a deal on an apartment! Our new apartment is 11 minutes closer to the church and has running water...constantly! (something we've been lacking the last couple weeks) It was truly a blessing to get this house. We actually got this number when a random lady approached another missionary companionship on the road and said, "I have an apartment, are you looking for one?" We prayed a lot and feel that this is the house that we need to be in. I hope it will help missionaries for the years to come! It also has 2 washers and 2 bathrooms so that was pretty exciting! But no dad, I still have to make my own bed and cook my own food.

   We have great investigators, including one of those Vlorak boys. His name is Klodi Merkaj, the younger brother of our recently baptized member Albano. He is skinny, dark, black hair, 16 and is quiet and impressionable. He has progressed SO FAST. He reminds me of all the Brazil Stories that Dad would always tell us. He's been doing so well that we moved his baptismal date up another week, the 19th of September. This week he is taking the awesome opportunity to go to the YM camp in Durres. Each meeting we have with him, he rehearses what he learned from Nephi, and he already is in chapter 17. He already has a FSOY pamphlet, and a Duty to God pamphlet! It is only a matter of time before he'll be serving a mission...well I guess a couple of years. He has really been a huge blessing in our companionships lives. Keep him in your prayers.

   We also are teaching a young girl name Keti. In our second lesson we asked if she had read, to which she replied, "I have to be honest, I haven't read." I tried to be like Elder Holland, and be devastated, however that couldn't last too long because my mind couldn't let go of the first sentence she said, "I have to be honest". That sentence really showed me a lot. Countless times I've asked investigators this question, and regardless of the answer, I often have doubts that they read the prescribed chapter. To hear someone say, let's be honest, is a breath of fresh air. Now, Keti is not the only investigator that has showed this honesty. Albano and Kristi showed it too when they didn't read. Now, I think that this is a great correlation. Honesty = prepared investigator. Thought they may not have read, at least they know that being honest is the right thing. We invite people to repent, and if they lie...well, then they are going backwards. When someone tells me they must be honest, I see it as a sign of repentance, and humility. I'll be honest, sometimes I'm not a perfect missionary, or sometimes I get into a rote presentation. However, I know that if I live up to my fist name, I know that I will in the long run, be happy with my life. Like Joseph F. Smith in Hawaii. "I am late, but I am (honest)". At the end of Keti's lesson she accepted the baptismal commitment. And since she was honest at the beginning I believe she was honest at the end. Please pray for her.

Thank you for all your prayers. I have just started to realize how many prayers are really offered in my behalf. For example, if 100 temples in the world have 14 sessions a day, in one week there will have been enough prayers given to supply each missionary in the world with a blessing! And that is only from the temples. Truly there too many prayers to go around, so much that there would probably be 12 basketfuls left over (there's my scripture reference). Prayer truly is a miracle. 

Unë e di që kjo kishë është e vertetë. Jam shumë shumë mirënjohes për një Ati në qiell që ka një dashuri të plotë për çdo njëri në tokë-sepse, jemi të gjithë fëmijët e tij. (ok too many ë, I will continue) S'e di si une kam marr kjo mundesi ge te sherbej si nje misionar i Krishti. Une e di qe Shlyerjen e Jezu Krishit eshte e perjetshme dhe mund te na ndihmojm nese ne kemi besim te sherohemi. Jam shume mirenjohes per shoku im Elder Penrodi, dhe per frymen e tij. Perendia jeton. Krishti eshte biri i tij. 
Ju dua!

Elder Bejngëdër.

P.S. I finally realized why I liked the picture of Joseph Smith receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood so much. Peter James and John look like three of the Pontipee Brothers. I hope that's what we will all look like someday! "All as tall as church steeples!"

PPS. Sorry for the very generic Title. Honestly, I couldn't think of a better one  :)

PPS. Abby and Eliza and Jay and Emma... I pray for each of you every night!