Life in Tirana is just great! There has been so much rain and lighting the last few days. As a result every morning the sky is clear and clean and we see the beautiful Balkans out our window that look very similar to the Wasatch front. We are so blessed. I don't know about you, but by hearing about life just through email, I've come to see many blessings. Each week I get letters from a few (not all) of you telling me of your spiritual promptings, the successes in life and I just think, "Wow, can we not go in so great a cause!" I hope each day you see how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ has changed your life for the better.
One gift that I see every day is the one of the Holy Ghost. Did you realize that he tells you everything, the good and the bad. If you constantly feel the need to improve yourself, that's the holy Ghost. But he's not just a sideline or base coach, but he's also the one that brings you the comfort that one feels when he is cradled in his mothers arms. The Holy Ghost comforts.
This week we were able to do a lot of work (I think it was because President's family just flew in...that keeps him occupied). We were able to teach and find and do the Lords will. 6 week with Elder Linderman has flown by, but I've learned a lot.
One night we stopped two men, one of which had actually read the Bible, the other one was a former soldier and had a mustache like Hitler and is Orthodox. These men, Kujtim and Dhimi, said they'd love to hear about the church. We got their information and had a lesson the next day. About 15 minutes into the lesson, they said they had to leave (be sure to always let them know how long lessons are!). They told us they had 5 minutes left. I looked at Elder Linderman and thought, "We haven't even talked about Christ's earthly ministry." But, I lead off with a testimony about Christ and the need for Prophets and my companion hit a home run with the story of Joseph Smith. We explained how the book of Mormon is proof of all of this and they were thrilled to get a copy. They said they'd love to bring their families as well. Dhimi concluded with a prayer, and Kujtim committed to come to church on Sunday (which he did!). We were so grateful for them. I point this story out because just 9 months ago, me and my same companion were serving together in Prishtina, Kosovo. In that moment on that boulevard, we stopped two men in a row, Ismet and Hazir, both of which are now baptized. Elder Linderman and I often discuss how we always find middle-aged men...which is a big blessing. It seems like lighting has struck a second time in Tirana! I will keep you updated with them.
The Doni family is still praying every night, but due to visiting family members they are hesitant to let us teach in their home for a period of time. Please pray for them.
I am so grateful for my life. I am grateful for the vision of a Father in Heaven, in which consists of a ''None Left Behind'' policy. He truly loves each person on the road, or on the bus. So far, with the new video that we have put on all the Buses in Tirana it has great success. The last slide has a picture of Elder Linderman as a missionary so that people watching it will recognize the missionaries. Multiple times this week, people come up to E. Linderman and say, "Je bërë famshëm!" which being interpreted means 'you became famous!'. My phone number is the one on the video to call....so I hope for someone to call soon! We've also made new pass along cards that we will be sending out to all the missionaries. The work is taking off! I love seeing the progress of Districts and Zones.
Thank you all for the updates on life back home. Good job Kyle Collinsworth and Tyler Haws, keep the cougs to win through the tournament! Steven, congrats on successfully being asked on another date...remember there are two types of objects in this world...those that act and those are acted upon...so help her have a great time. Claire, Michael, I hope you enjoyed all that snow....I just read in Isaiah that our sins can be as white as the drifted snow...a great analogy. I hope all goes well Caitlyn and Lauren! I love becoming an Uncle! I know that the spirits sent to our family are choice to be sure!
To end, I think Ill commit you do be missionaries. Once the apostles questioned the Savior, seeing that he hadn't eaten any food and they wondered if he was hungry. Christ replied, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." Shall we not follow this example? Do we get strength from the meat of the Gospel? Christ then counseled the apostles to not procrastinate the days of their preaching saying, "Say ye not there are yet four months and THEN cometh the harvest." The work of the lord is not going to hasten four months from now....rather "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white all ready to harvest." Don't wait to do the work of the Lord. It is needful for our salvation to preach. Because he that does "perisheth not, but BRINGETH SALVATION TO HIS (OWN) SOUL." Many of us are changing our place of residence often, for school, missions, family etc. But let us not wait for the change in the weather to change us. As missionaries, a few say, "the work will increase when I change areas". This is obviously false. I hope we can find the power in being an everyday missionary. A simple conversation with member or nonmember can have great effect on lives. I know the missionaries in your areas are praying for new investigators. You are the answer to their prayers. I love you all , and thank you for your prayers for me.
Love, Elder Bangerter
P.S. could you send me a family calendar by chance?
PPS did steven ever get my package for Christmas?
Our Trip to Gjakova...we had a crazy storm! We went with the two elders opening up the new city of Berat who are also great singers and wrote the mission song.
1) The Storm
2)Elder Muncy, Elder Linderman (my companion), Me, Elder Lee in our apartment
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