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..,"
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