Well over a year ago, I entered the MTC and I was introduced to my first companion, Elder Jacob Watson. Then, last June, I was blessed to be his companion up in Kosovo. Finally, this last week I was able to go on an exchange with my same, great companion. He is now serving as a Zone Leader in the Durres Zone and he came up to my area on Friday and Saturday. It was really great to think of all the times that we've had together, the memories and the investigators we both share. While on our exchange we were also given the opportunity to have a special 'Public Relations' training, provided by the Frankfurt Office (the center of the church in Europe). Now, if nobody likes to do role-plays, then they would've hated to do what we had to do. They prepped us on how to do television interviews by doing role-plays with a camera rolling...maybe something I'll implement in our next companionship study. It was neat to notice how simple it is to present the church. All in all, we learned that if you answer like the Savior, then you'll be just fine. I hope that this training doesn't somehow suddenly flood us with tons of TV stations, asking for what we believe...but we'll see. (Just check your news page everyday:) I sometimes remember some of our families mission companions: Elder Romney(?), Elder Irion, Elder Nistler, Elder Nixon, all of dad's Portuguese companions, and all of Seth's AF companions. I then reflect on my own companions: Elders Watson, Outsen, Linderman, Penrod, and Fowles. I have been blessed with great companions. From each one I've learned something...don't ask me what right now, but I'll tell you in a few years. Each time we meet each other I think about what Alma said:
" ...Therefore Alma did rejoic
( Now, I don't know if I'd call us all 'men' yet, but I feel that someday we'll get there.)
The biggest blessing of the week came on exchange with Elder Cameron Price, who was in my district back in Prishtina. While contacting we met a man named Leonard. He immediately told us that he'd met with missionaries years ago in Durres, but had recently moved to Tirana, and hadn't had any contact with the church. Well, seeing as our new goal is to meet with people everyday, we set up an appointment for that night and went over every night until Sunday. Leonard accepted a baptismal date for March 28th and hopefully his son will be accepting tonight as well. This contact was a miracle.
The past couple of weeks were a little slow. Often in these times could cause one to be non-motivated, or wonder why success is not coming. However, those times of trial and difficulty are just the tests to see ''if you will do all things whatsover the Lord has commanded you". Imagine, some had to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years, wondering what would happen to them and their families. Others waited for the Messiah, only to miss him by not paying close attention. How many of us are excited to move on to the next thing, without giving our full effort upon our current responsibility? How many Sadducees would have been converted if they had just softened their hearts and listened to the 'here and now'. I like to think to myself what President Monson said, "An ordinary man finds an excuse, an extraordinary man finds a way." (thanks Lauren for the notes on the bathroom mirrors). When we begin to think that there is no way, no change, we deny the power of the Atonement. An excuse is neglecting one's responsibility by giving in to weakness. We often are left waiting and waiting for something to happen; someone to talk to, a phone call, the end of a semester, or the end of a meeting. Whether it be big or small, the key is to remember the 'here and now'.
About 3 months ago I received an email from a high school friend that included a video of the savior. In the video Elder Eyring mentions that when we have hard days, that we need only remember Him, and that the day will get better. Since watching that video, there have been moments on my mission where I was tired, but I thought to myself "remember Him" and then I was somehow given the strength to move forward--I was really given a desire to act 'here and now'. As a missionary, I've been able to act in the here and now by saying hello to every single person on the street, imagining them being baptized and reminding myself that they are my brothers and sisters. I am reminded of how important the 'here and now' is when I see someone else struggling--a missionary, a member, or one not yet baptized--it is important because if the 'here and now' is overlooked, then so is their concern, and so is your opportunity to help them. I was able to see this happen a few times this week.
Last night, for example, we had a lesson plan to teach about the priesthood to Asllan that had recently been called to be our 2nd counselor in the Elders Quroum. As we walked in we could tell that his member-wife had a cough. We then noticed that he was slightly sick as well. On top of all this he was stressed with one of his jobs projects. Imagine, if we had been 'over-there and tomorrow' then we would've missed this service opportunity. We turned our priesthood lesson into a 'here and now' lesson by offering to teach them about priesthood blessings. This newly ordained Elder was then administered to by us two missionaries. Afterwards, he himself gave his own wife a blessing. We know that we felt the spirit, so that means that they felt it a lot stronger. They left us with bigger smiles on their faces, and we left feeling accomplished. Truly, ''in the ordinances, the power of godliness is made manifest." I know that if we serve 'here and now' that we will recieve blesisngs 'here and now'. This letter is a testimony to that; as I type I realized that I could've' blogged' to you the events of my week, however, by taking time to reflect on the past week and find what I've learned, I was able to write something that was from my heart, not my fingertips.
'Each day holds the possibility of a miracle' says a sign in our mission office, just outside the door of where I'm sitting. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve in Tirana's first ward. Andrew, I empathize with you, cause we'll be moving mission offices this week to a new location in Tirana--out with the old and in with the new! But, I'll take a bit of my own medicine and enjoy the' here and now' of ''përballë postës. nr. 22'. So family, especially Mom and Dad and anyone that's moving around, you know what to do. In fact you all taught me to slow down and 'Enjoy it.'
Read your scriptures, Joseph
I love you all so much,
Elder Lincoln Bangerter
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