Look! Backward and Forward!

Dear Family,

   This week was pretty great. I am having the same realization that I had in the MTC about the power of Districts. They always say that a companionship prepares you for marriage; I believe a district prepares you for children, bishopric councils, ward councils, and any other councils. I've learned a lot from drawing knowledge from the experienced missionaries in our District: the Zone Leaders and a sister in her final transfer. I really appreciate all that they teach me, and it is really an honor to be a District Leader.

   I know that sometimes we can get a little down on ourselves. Sometimes we just have so much on our plate to eat (I know mom, I'm only supposed to eat till 80% but sometimes I eat a little much-(you can take that as literal or symbolic as Isaiah)) And when we have all those things to do we may feel a little overwhelmed. Sometimes it is the opposite, we try and try to do good, but may feel that nothing amounts. I know here in Prishtina, I've felt both before; times of uber-flourishing and overwhelmingness, and the doldrums of summer street contacting. I guess the mission field is maybe as easily compared to the Ocean; rough at times, calm at times, but always majestic and beautiful (and blue, blue is always the best. I'm glad I'm serving in Kosovo which has a blue flag, when compared to Albania's Red one....which I will love when I get there!) So, be it busy or calm, life is always beautiful. I am reminded of a talk that I think Aunt Julie gave (If not, let her know that I think of her every time I think of this thought) : you are doing better than you think you are, and there is always room for improvement. 

Per Shembull (for example), I sometimes stop and think back over the past few months. I have grown so much. Andrew, I speak a language! It really is amazing to think. Now I can joke, laugh, cry, talk, all in Albanian. On Sunday I had the marvelous opportunity to give my first talk in Sacrament Meeting; I've born my testimony before, but this was my first talk. I had prepared a few notes pertaining to self-reliance spiritually and physically. I had a few quotes from Apostles, and a few from myself. When I got up to speak I thought of the scripture in Moroni 6: the meetings of church are conducted by the Holy Ghost. Sure, I used my notes, scriptural examples, and prepared thoughts. But, I used a lot more that was NOT written down. Going in, I thought I didn't have enough material, I left not sharing three-quarters of my prepared thoughts. There really is power not knowing before hand what you will say, but letting the spirit fill your mouth in the very hour, the very moment with the things that you should say. Before I knew it, 15 minutes were up, smiles were on the members faces (either from my talk or grammar), and I sat down very kenaqur and mirenjohes (pleased and grateful). I was so grateful to share my testimony with the members here in Prishtina.

    This week, we also had my most miraculous street contact. After hours of contacting one day, I was tired. I had just finished a conversation with a Norwegian who couldn't believe we were still "preaching that stupid message" (pardon my french...Norwegian). I was little defensive and knew I needed to get the spirit back. I took a couple of minutes to read from the book of Mormon and then I was back on the road. Oh, how grateful I am for the ability to repent and feel the spirit again, for though Satan had attempted to take the spirit away, I was able to regain it, and be worthy to receive the blessing that Heavenly Father was about to give me. It's always the darkest before the morning. 

And so, up to us walked a girl. 

  She said, "I'm sorry, I just walked by a few times and was wondering what you have?" "We are missionaries...this is the Book of Mormon" "Ok, what do you do?" "Well, we teach people about it, and about Christ" 

  Well we then went to the nearby bench and explained what the Book of Mormon contained. She would ask questions like "Lehi, who was he?" or "Joseph Smith, what did he do? . . .Oh, very interesting." Then she told us. "you know, I'm Muslim. But I want to be Christian. My family is all Muslim, but basically I don't think it is the right path". Well, we were more than happy to tell her that she can become a christian! We gave her the book of Mormon and gave her information to the sisters. Since that first meeting, she has read a few pages of it and is loving it! 

  I know that God put this young girl in our path...well really, she walked up to us. I'm just so grateful that I had taken the time beforehand to get the Spirit, continue, and be open to this experience. I'm grateful for repentance the opportunities we have to permiresohemi (improve). Sometimes, look at all that you've done and recognize all that you've been blessed with and how far you've come. BUT, then do as Elder Dube counciled and look forward at ALL we have to do. For example, I was looking over all the cities of Kosovo, and realized that one day there could be a ward in each of those cities and a temple in Prishtina. With a vision like that, for your life, you can see all that you have to do to be better. I know that God loves us and will always show us his love each day. I pray for you all every night! Thank you for your prayers.

Love, Elder Bangerter

P.S. could you send me the Bangerter and Garlick Family Directory? Thank you!

Faith Family and Podujevë!

Dear Family,

   Elder Bangerter and Elder Watson here from Prishtina! 

    Wow what a week! Our district just returned from a P-day excursion that we made to Podujeve, a city 35 km north of Prishtina and a couple from Serbia. It was a small town but quite pleasant. Being the Bangerter that I am, I just started walking down the road and everyone started following me. I looked down an alley way to my right and saw an open field with a better view of the nearby hills. I turned, and everyone followed me, not questioning. I guess confidence is key and no one will ever question your moves! Well I led them to a dead end and explained that I just wanted to look at the hills! This simple turn down this alleyway in Podujeve was done with no thought beforehand, but what resulted was unexpected. After gazing at the hills, partially blocked by the nearby houses, a man(Syliman Becktesi) house next to us asked us who we were. Well, we explained we were just visiting for the day and wanted to know where is a good place. He explained a nice park's location and then asked if we wanted to come in to his courtyard! Well, we never deny that privilege and went in. We sat down on his patio and talked with him, his wife, his daughter and his cute 3 yearold granddaughter (who sang a fun Albanian nursery rhyme to us). They offered us water and biscuits, and we just talked. They were muslim--actually all of Podujeve is muslim--and were actually fasting for the month of Ramadan. I am always amazed at the hospitality of the people here. Imagine serving people food on fast Sunday, and then having fast Sunday everyday for a month! Well, welcome to the people of Kosovo. It was so neat to talk to this man about the war, and his family who all live in this little community. We then simply thanked him and left to continue on our way. At the end we told him that we were missionaries and to look us up in Prishtina. 

  And so, this experience, and many like it, have shaped what I have learned about missionary work. Although we may not be constantly in a shirt and tie and teaching lessons, we can always be missionaries. Simply accpeting invitations to talk, extending invitations to converse, and never suppressing generous thoughts are all ways that the Spirit can work through us. Just never have any 'turp' to speak up (In Albanian it means shy, afraid, apprehensive). 

  I know I say this every week. But I gain so much more respect for all you returned missionaries and the things that you did on your mission. I can often picture all of you and how you contact or teach; or how you treat the people you serve. This week, just be open to every person you meet, member or nonmember. 

     Mom and Dad, I know that you've worked so hard on the Trek, and I know it was a great experience, or will be...whenever you get this. I know that as you teach the kids about their ancestors they'll grow so much in their testimonies. For example, last week, I looked up a history about Frederich Bangerter's trek to Utah. I gained so much more perspective about Grandpa Bangerters origin in Granger, UT. I know now the sacrifice that was made in order for us to be where we are now--and even me, back in Europe! We truly are receiving the blessings that were sought for the posterity of these faith-filled progenitors. Imagine, virtually in every prayer that they said, they asked for a blessing to be upon their family and posterity. We are now the recipients of the results of those prayers. For this reason I believe we are continuously blessed. There are many who truly do care about the work that we do now. 

    The final blessing that I saw this week. Yesterday, Sunday, was Ismet's son's birthday. Elder Watson and I made some cookies to take over to his family. When we arrived at his house we were surprised that neither Ismet nor his son were at home. However, they invited us in and we had a great talk together. At the end, we had a simple lesson about family prayer and committed them to pray as a family. In the lesson was Ismet's wife and 2 sons and a cousin. After walking out of the lesson, I asked Elder Watson, "Do you know how long we've been trying to get a lesson with his family!?" That lesson really will help that entire family come into the gospel. Ismet was a little 'turp' about his family interacting with the church; but now, they know us, they accepted us, and love us. I loved talking with his wife-an Albanian that is just like mom: Oldest of 3 girls and 2 boys, and makes great cake (but I like mom's pies better). She was so nice and I even called her 'Sister Berisha'. We were very pleased to hear from her that Ismet has been sharing what he's learned with her, and that she herself has started reading the Book of Mormon a little!

   That lesson came as the final one of the week. A week that was long and hard, but worth it because of that ONE lesson! I still can't get the golf analogy out of my head--one good shot makes it worth it! I have a testimony that faith works, that prayer works, and that families will live together forever!

 I love you all and pray for you.

Love,

Elder Bangerter

Happy Forth of July

Familja,

Well, unlike a lot of other emails that I read from missionaries whose countries don't celebrate the fourth, I'll have you know that Kosovo is probably more American than New Mexico, which is probably more like Mexico. We treated ourselves at lunch to the most American burger we could find, but it couldn't beat the ones dad cooks out on the back porch. Due to the Pro-American feelings that Kosovo has, we had a ward party on the 4th! It was really awesome. We had 6 of the people we invited come, including Hazir, who now has a baptismal date! The funnest person that came was named Granite. He is an Albanian who has grown up in America and I believe he is more american than me! He was so excited to come because he hasn't celebrated a Fourth for Four years (that's a lot of 4s) He was the first one there and the last one to leave. He became the life of the party when he wanted to start taking pictures of the American Flag, leading the pledge of Allegiance, and filming me and Elder Price fold the flag in its appropriate boy-scout-learned way. (Maybe the sad thing was that there were more people there than usually come to church? but, oh well, this week we actually increase our church attendance!) 

   Elder Watson and I are having a 'grand old time' serving together again. We both speak a lot more and our language has improved dramatically. Heavenly Father has answered our prayers. We try each day to get the most out of our finding and teaching. We were really blessed as we found new investigators for us and for the sisters! The best lessons came from two college boys.

 These two young men are muslim but were open with coming to the church with us. As we taught the restoration the spirit grew so strong! After the First Vision, I asked one if he felt the spirit, to which he nodded in the affirmative. However, it was very interesting to observe the other boy. It appeared that both were equally muslim, but one had a softer heart than the other. The other boy kept asking, "so where is the proof. How do you know you have a living prophet? Who is Thomas S. Monson? What has he done?" It seemed that his friend was on our side in the midst of the questions, but we addressed his questions by saying that we'd be totally open for meeting the next day to talk about our living prophet. He agreed; actually they both agreed, and they both agreed to read Alma 32 before the next day. Well, the next day rolled around and they apologized for being 5 minutes late (which never happens, the apology I mean). This just shows how kind these boys are. During our lesson, they kept saying how they loved what "she" said in Alma 32. We were afraid we gave them the wrong chapter until I realized that 'Alma' is a girls name in Albania! We kindly corrected them and we all laughed; but I couldn't help but try to picture Alma as a sister missionary teaching about faith. It must have been an interesting concept in their mind too. But, with all that aside, they loved the chapter, agreeing completely that we must plant good seeds inside us. We then gave them another seed to plant: a talk by Presidnet Monson. I am so greatful for the prepared people that God puts in our path. However, he keeps us humble by testing us. The day of this 2nd lesson was their last day in Prishtina. They were leaving to their village for the summer. So, we hope to stay in contact with them until September. Please Pray for Zeqir and Atdhe (Ze-cheer and Aht-they) that they may be able to continue in their reading and searching. 

  Also this week we got a new mission President: Louis Weidmann. He is so awesome. He came to our Zone Conference on Wednesday. He is so loving and so Swiss! I made the connection with him about Aunt Julie and Uncle Ramon, and we may have more connections through German missionaries. All his son in laws served in Hamburg and a few relatives in Frankfurt. He talked about how, when he was a young missionary he had a desire to serve a foreign speaking mission and was sent to Frankfurt! Then, as a to-be-mission president, they had the desire to go to a German or English speaking mission and were sent to Albania! He has a great vision for our mission and I look forward to a great time with them!

I love you all and pray for you every night!

Love, Elder Bangerter

Picture of Lincoln and his new companion Elder Watson (or I guess you could say old companion)

Dedication sight of Kosovo 

Statue of George Bush

Dr. Suse Tree

The Small and Simple things of the Spirit.

Dear Family,

Well, what a great week. 

It has been quite a blessing to have Elder Watson back with me. We know each other, we understand each other. It was nice to just slow down and embrace this companionship. Already, I've seen how our faith, combined has brought blessings. 

  So, one of the hard things that we've had to overcome is how to teach our lessons together. Since we were both trained last transfer, now we are together and trying to combine our knowledge. We were blessed this week to have lessons where the gift of tongues really helped me and where the investigator felt the spirit in spite of our language barrier. Truly the gift of the interpretation of (our) tongues is real!

  I've really enjoyed showing E. Watson around the city. I was shocked about how much I knew about all the little things, and all the people that are now "friends" with the missionaries: the taxi drivers, sunglasses salesmen, ice cream scoopers, hotel security guards, old couples on benches, and a nice drunk guy!

  This week I've simplified my schedule. My studies, my thoughts, my approaches, and even my appetite (though I should probably keep that mixed up a bit). Simpler is better. When we are simple we can have the spirit. For example; we had a lesson this week with a young man that wanted to learn English. We taught him the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith. He was studying history so I talked about how the need for authority was so...needed! Corruption never was one of the fruits of the spirit, be it in the early christian church or the government of Kosovo! Anyway, this lesson was really full of the spirit. After teaching the first vision and bearing testimony of the Book of Mormon, he, our investigator said, "I can feel that its true, because you feel it's true. If it wasn't true, and if you didn't believe it, you wouldn't be here in Kosovo." He said he would be baptized if he knew the book was true. I know that he CAN know its true because I know it is true. 

That is another thing that I have simplified:The book of Mormon.

No, I haven't created a New International version or something, but I'm studying it simply. Taking verses that are appropriate to share with investigators and organizing them in a notebook according to PMG topic. This way of "going through" the Book of Mormon has really made it become a missionary tool and a very effective one at that!

   On Sunday, I was happy to perform for the first time a piano solo in sacrament meeting (I couldn't escape Sister VanderBeek here!). It was nice to play a bit again. As in the MTC, I feel the spirit through music better than I think any other way. 

  This week we are hoping for Baptismal Dates and Progressing Investigators. Kosovo has a direction to go, and if I have anything to say about it, it will be UP! We were able to go to the dedication site again, and that rejuvenated my energy for the work here in Kosovo. I am so grateful for a Living Prophet who has living Apostles who dedicate foreign lands to bless inadequate, young boys teach grown-ups about Christ. By small and simple things. 

I love you all and I pray for all of you all the time!

Love, Elder Bangerter

P.S. what is andrew's email address. I alwasy send it to Caitlyn, but I want andrews too...

Persevering in Prishtina

Dear Family,

    We wake up each morning in Prishtina not knowing 'weather' or not it will rain. Prishtina, though the capital of a country, is pleasant in size, with only a few blocks of large buildings, and many houses surrounding the center. Even though it is the furthest area from the mission home, it feels like home. When someone asked me, "IF you could choose a city to go to serve in (within the mission), which would it be?" And honestly, I could answer with nothing other than Prishtina. Like all my brothers, my training city will always hold a special place in my heart.

   Well this week we received transfer calls. President Ford makes a personal phone call to every missionary in the mission telling him his area, his new companion, and any additional assignments. Since transfers only happen every 12 weeks (it might change with a new Mission President), waiting for the call is like opening presents on Christmas Morning! I got my call first. I'm staying in Prishtina and taking Elder Linderman's place as the district leader over the 3 companionships in Prishtina. My new companion is Elder Jacob Andrew Watson! Yep, my MTC companion! I was literally shocked when I heard! (ok maybe not literally and studio c would be upset, but they cant touch me, I'm a missionary!) I am very excited for this change and sad that I'll be losing Elder Linderman as my trainer. He does so much for me. Though it will be good for me to "be on my own" now. Elder Watson and I will be learning together.

    This week we went down to Tirana for Mission Conference. We drove down with the Zone Leaders in their car. The conference was really awesome. I loved seeing the missionaries from the MTC and also hearing the final testimonies of all the missionaries leaving, many of which I served with, or near, up in Kosovo. From their testimonies, I learned that it all goes by so fast and that we need to Enjoy every moment that we have. I've always loved Brother Bird's exhortation: "work so hard they'll have to carry you home on a stretcher!". And so this mindset of perseverance has been well, set in my mind this week! As we left mission conference, Elder Harlow (more like Hah-lo like an englishman) had on his ipod Grandpa Bangerter's devotional talk "Enjoy it". I really, really enjoyed hearing his voice while looking at all the country side, thinking that he is watching me, a privilege that only a few of his grandsons have gotten. I loved picking out Uncle Cory's voice as well as Dad's. His voice honestly reminded me of Dad reading to us at nights. 

   And so, this week we tried to work with perseverance, while enjoying it, until the transfer. After long days, our burdens were lifted when SIX investigators came to church; a man, his wife and 2 kids, and two other fathers. To give you an idea, we usually hope for one to come. I was immediately filled with gratitude for the blessings that God has given us. We sometimes feel inadequate, but we put our offering on the table and Heavenly Father blesses us with more than we ever deserve.

   I have a testimony that this church is true. I know that as we study the scriptures we may dive deep and swirl around the depths and come up with a nugget. However, that nugget usually is a simple phrase, maybe even a statement you've heard your whole life. But, this time, this nugget means more, because you worked for it and it is YOURS. I remember a Family night where Lauren talked about the power of diving into the scriptures. Well Lar-face, I found a few, thank you for your testimony. I love you all, It sounds like you all had a BLAST back east, but lets remember I'm still the furthest east! Seth, you better wear that green jacket proudly as you go door to door...but don't get too comfortable...I'll claim it back when my time comes. Todd, you made a good run. The jacket has become an interstate emblem of family unity and pride, from Utah to Kansas, then from Maine to North Carolina! Andrew, I feel your pain in the loss, better luck in a few months. Also Michael, I know you'll win the next one, you are always so close, so you get a 'W' in my bracket. Lauren, I loved seeing all the pictures of you and your family...and your glasses. I remember when we bought our pairs together and now we are seeing the world together! Farmer Adam, I bet you feel you're living the dream, because I know you are. Steven, please report to me your height, you look a lot older and it is scaring me. Mom, your letters are so--to use a word of dads--precious. Thank you all for the encouraging and prayers. I pray for you. I have no doubt that the Lord is blessing our family. May he continue to bless us, according to our faithfulness!

I love you all, 

 Elder Bangerter 

P.S. In another email is my transfer call that we got from President Ford. One is mine, the other is Elder Lindermans. I hope you enjoy hearing my president's voice for the last time. We get President Weidmann this week.

P.P.S. So, if you haven't sent a package yet, a voice recorder would be really awesome!

Undecided

Dear Family,

I really couldn't decide on a title for today's letter: "April Showers bring May Flowers. What do May Flowers Bring? A  June Baptism!" or "O, they say when you're baptized in June, you're a member all your eternal life!" I'd like to recap the story of Ismet.

 May 9th-Elder Linderman and I had our best companionship study of the transfer, strenghtening both our testimonies and increasing our ablitlity and faith in our street contacting

May 10th-While doing Word of Wisdom contacting, we find two men in a row who don't smoke and have interest in our message. One of which, Ismet, has a Book of Mormon in his house that missionaries had given him a year earlier.

May 11th-Our first lesson with Ismet. We taught the restoration and he accepted a return appointment. Participated well and very open.

May 12-24th-We keep calling him. However, he is sick and can't meet. At this point, I was a little worried, thinking that he was just another person that didn't want to meet with us. However, he made the point on the phone that he wanted to continue the lessons. Sometimes it can get easy to "lose" an investigator amidst the throngs of people that we talk with. Thankfully, Heavenly Father didn't let that happen

May 25th-June 14th-We teach Ismet all the lessons. Each lesson he accepts the principle. With little hurdles with the Word of Wisdom and Tithing he qualifies himself for baptism. He also comes to church and hasn't stopped. 

June 13th-We go over to his house and meet his two sons. This was really a highlight this week. I was expecting some rebellious teenagers, but these two were humble kids 17 and 15, the younger one reminded me of Steven! This really has given us a lot of hope for his family.

June 14-15th-Ismet is baptised and confirmed a member of the church. It was really a simple, sweet, and spiritual service. I am so grateful that we could have this baptism in my first transfer on my mission. Elder Linderman keeps saying, "I don't know if you'll find as good of a investigator as him." Elder Linderman and I gave him a tie as a present, and then he showed up to church in a white shirt. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a fly on the wall of the building of the foundation of Ismet's testimony (is that metaphor stretched?) Really, the most amazing part wasn't the baptism, but the change that happened before. Baptism, was naturally the next step in his life. 

  Also this week we restarted English Class and hope to get some more investigators including Ismet's sons. My testimony in teaching has grown a lot this week. In the "Training Program", this week I was heading all planning and teaching situations. At times it was hard and I couldn't understand, but "avash avash" I was able to communicate and we found some potentially good investigators. Transfer calls are next sunday, it looks like I'll most likely be staying in Prishtina, but we'll see next week, because it is in the Lords hands.

  Another cool thing happend this week. I was on an exchange with Elder Harlow from Leeds England. We got on the topic of family history and I pulled out the stories that you gave me about our anscestors. It turns out, they were born and lived within a half hour of his house! He was so excited! It was really cool to see that we really have roots somewhere else in the world. Now I know whom I will visit when ever I go to England

  I know this is like tacking an extra thing on but today we went on a P-day trip to a member, Nazim's, house. We thought it as going to be 20 km...it turned out to be 120! Sometimes the members don't tell us all the information for a reason, but we were excited and happy! We went into his humble hut, had bread and cheese, and then out around his property. I was shocked as I saw a field of beans and potatoes that he planted all by himself, on top of being a school teacher. I thought of the phrase "I am the Gardner Here". The Gardner knows his plants. Nazim and his, and Heavenly father and us. He helps us grow little by little. We may not like the hoeing around us or the scorching heat, but when the next day arises, we see that we are a little bit taller and stronger. It was all worth it even though the strawberries were the size of blueberries (but they were SOO good...I thought of Jake "I'll I see is Red*! *words changed). I love you all and I love all the updates I've gotten. I'm so glad for the west and their conquring of the east and king james (I like the Bible better anyway). Good Job to Kawai, but he is still kawai-in because he lost to jimmer. 

  Happy Fathers day Dad! I thought of you, like I do every day! Also happy birthday Uncle Steven and Joe Apple! (Not to be confused with Uncle Steve and Joe Garlick) Congrats Kalan and Mikey!

Love, Elder Bangerter