January 31, 2010

Well. It was a pretty good week. I'm not remembering too many details. But I guess some good stuff happened. Last Pday we went to the center of the city and I spent lots of money so that was pretty fun.I got some pretty good stuff though. We go a free hammock from an investigator the other day so in order to increase missionary focus, moral, and productivity we decided that it was pretty important to put it up in the apartment. we tried to find the little wall hook deals but they were pretty expensive so we had to go through a trial and error creative process to figure it out. Luckily we managed. As far as the work goes, it was good this week, but we didnt have too many at church this time unfortunately. You cant win'm all I suppose. We do have a baptism marked this week for Rodrigo though, an 18 year old withsome friends in the church. I'm hoping it goes through and that we can help the rest of our investigators progress towards baptism. This area has been a little rough, but I've been learning a lot and I'm hoping it gets better. Our president is having us all read the Miracle of Forgiveness which is really cool. I'm learning about all kinds of sins and such. Luckily, I'm reading it in portuguese so I dont know what a third of them are. I think that counts as an excuse. Really though, its a pretty awesome book and I'm learning what it means to become better.  I'm glad to hear that things are progressing alright with the babies and cant wait to not be able to see them! Glad to know that you and dad are finding time to have fun, keep it up. Also, tell Aunt Becky that I love her too and thanks for the message. I would like to ask one thing. It's a little hard for me to keep track of so many dates and such so if you could let me know when all of my friend/cousin missionaries are going into the MTC/ went into the MTC since I've been out and just kind of a general update in the missionary situatuation including whose sending papers, whose waiting for a call, contact info etc. Actually, if any of you are reading this, you could just send me an email yourselves telling me whats up, that would be ideal. Well I think that about raps it up for Elder Bangerter, so until next time.

Love Elder Bangerter

P.S. Elder Wagoner told me something cool that you probably need to try. He said that if you iron deficient and you pass a gold ring on your face (at least 14 k)it like leaves a mark for a second. I figured you might think that was cool.

Happy New Year

Well... I saw some monkeys at the park today. Unfortunately that's really about all that comes to mind and the moment about my life. As far as the work, we're just kinda pluggin along down here, we made a goal this week to make it the most obedient week of our missions, so we'll see how that goes. I havent thought of the prize if we do good yet but I suppose you dont really need one. Oh ya I remembered something!. So on like tuesday I woke up and when I looked in the mirror I saw this huge lump on my forehead. I sat trying to think if I'd hit my head on something the day before but nothing came to mind. I even asked my companion if he'd punched me without me noticing but he denied it (ya right). Anyways the next day it was till there so I decided it would probably be good to go the the hospital just to be safe. The climax of the story is, I got to go in the cool donut xray think to get a monagram of my head and I get the pictures next week. You might say I'm pretty exctied about that. Oh also, they found out it was just and infection so dont worry. They gave me medications and it's basically gone right now but it was pretty funny because instead of just staying in the same place, the bumb decided to start moving, so before it left it made it's way down inbetween my eyes and I looked EXACTLY like Avatar for 2 days. Everyone make fun of me. It was hilarious. Unfortunately I couldnt get ahold of any blue paint and it's already gone now but all in all it was a good experience I would say. And I get the X rays tomorrow :) So, sorry that's about all I got this week, I love ya all and hope you have a good one!!!! Oh also I'm pretty excited, my birthday is on Pday next week. Ok it's over now.

ELder Bangerter

January 3, 2010

So today was transfers..... and I stayed!!!!! This is the first time I've ever stayed with the same companion for 2 transfers which is cool. Also, this is his last so I'll probably end up staying two more transfers which equals a whole lot of time. I'm glad though, I like the area and I like my comp so I got nothin to complain about. as far as the week went, it was pretty good until the newyears weekend. As Brazilians tend to do, they continued the party for a few days. It was actually pretty funny, on Saturday we were walking around in our area and we passed this lady who standing in front of her house dancing during the morning hours, then we passed like at night and she was still there standing in the exact same position, doing the exact same dance. I thought it to be quite humorous. As far as our new years festivities, we bought some sparkling cider, missed midnight but shot off the bottle caps anyways as if it were midnight. Then we were drinking them and I started laughing and threw up all over the floor so that was pretty exhilarating. I dont know if you wanted to hear about that... My comp was like ´´what did I tell you!`` and I was like ´´you said not for to drink the drink,´´ and he was like ´´what did you do!`` and I was like ´´I drinked it.`` and he was like ´´why did you do that!`` and then I was like ´´ I dont Knooowww!!!`` It´s the BRAIIIN DAMAGE!! All elders have brain damage. Anywho, I've been planning to schedule out a time to sit down and make some goals of when I'll stop and make some new years resolutions but I havent gotten around to it yet. Maybe I'll get to it near the end of the year. But yea, I hope everyone had a great new years and such and that you'll all take advantage of 2011 since it's the last year before the end of the world I love you all and had a blast talking to you on the phone!

Love retregnaB redlE

1well you can´t tell butt we're dripping wet.

2. Our christmas celebration 

American Companion

Opa!!! so it turns out, my companion was involved in a mini transfer so I'm have a new companion now, Elder Wagoner, an american with exactly one more year than me. It's kinda weird to walk around with an american all day I won´t lie. I'm still not sure about this speakin english business. Anywho, he's basically the MAN and we get along really well. Also, he reminds me alot of Jeff( as in cousin Jeff) which is cool. Our area is going pretty well now that were doin that work thing where you actually leave the house, we had a ward integration activity on friday which went about as well as the last one I did in Jordão. Which means we had a million children uncontrollably screaming and running around while we tried to tie their legs together to do a three legged race and organize other such activities. It was good though I think everybody made it out alive. As far as other interesting facts, today I went paintballing which was quite the Pday activity. I only won one of the games but I guess I just wasn't a born fighter. I suppose chistmas is around the bend, or at least that's the word on the street, but I'm having a hard time believing it based on current cliate conditions. Excited nonettheless. Well I dont really have much Pday left plus my hair is looking pretty shaggy so I'd better run take care of that but a good week to all.

Elder BAngerter

December 6, 2010

Well, we made it through the weekand it looks like my companions alive, but I'll have to verify that just to be sure. It was a pretty eventful week if you know what I mean. I didn´t quite finish my BOM goal but at least I got to about page ten. I actually ended up doing divisions and working in the office inputing baptismal forms into the computer though. I guess President wanted me to keep working or something, but I haven´t quite nailed down why yet. It was actually kinda funny though, the other two missionaries in the apartment got sick too. I think they started wondering why there was just one missionary free of disease. Luckily I'm pretty sure they never realized I was poisoning their food so I think I'm good. I found out that lady in my last area who had a dream as a response to her prayer got baptized yesterday so I'm pretty happy about that. It was a pretty neat experience. Anyways, I'm outta time but thanks so much for the emails, Dan it´s good to hear from you, I'll try to get a letter out soon. Have a good week!

ELder Bangerter

November 30, 2010

Alrighty, so I guess it´s been a while since we had a quality email from Elder Bangerter. then again maybe we´ve never had a quality email from Elder Bangerter but I suppose we´ve just got to live with what we´ve got right? Anywho, just to update the situation, last week I was transferred from Jordão to Campo Grande which is more or less in the center of the city so basically I'm livin high class now. This is probably the best house I've had so far on the mission. It´s got a roof and everything! But ya, my new companion is Elder Antonio from Minas and he´s pretty awesome because, well let´s face it, you put anyone next to Elder Bangerter and he looks good if you know what I mean. We worked alot this week and by worked alot I mean walked around alot pretending to be efficient. It´s always a little rough opening an area though so I'm not to worried and luckily my companion got sick and can´t work for a week so it´s just uphill from here. P-DAY EVERY DAY!!! Just kidding, I'll probably go crazy. I think I'm going to try to read the BOM cover to cover. Anyways, I'm happy and content as always, I still like being a missionary, and I'm still learning tons of good things every day. I suppose that happens when you don´t know too much but really though, I love the refining process of a mission. I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving, I still havent figured out why they dont have thanksgiving here? I suppose they've got plenty of other holidays to make up for it. Cant wait for Christmas, I've got a really good feeling about this one:) Anyways, keep praying for me and for my area. Let me know whats going on in your lives even if I'm not very good at letting you know what´s going on in mine. Any mission calls or marriages that I missed? By the way, I'm pretty excited that David's gonna be speaking my lingua, we're basically gonna have a party when he gets home.

Love, Elder Bangerter

November 22, 2010

Hey sorry my computer messed up so I didnt get to write a full email but Im alive and I got transfered to the center of the city. MINHA NOSSA DAVID VAI FALAR PORTUGUESE!!!!!! Com certeza vai ser errado mas é portuguese ainda né?

November 15, 2010

Hey sorry I dont have a ton of time this week to write but it sounds like everyone is doing great and its awesome to hear the updates from everyone. Congrats JAmes and Nicole on the Jobs and the birthday, you're the best.This week went really well, the baptism and marriage went through so I'm pretty happy about that, I hope we can continue to help that family grow closer still. Sometimes I think it's kinda crazy that I'm a nineteen year old kid helping out married people with families but I suppose David killed Goliath so The Lord does what he wants with whoever he wants. Also, I know we all thought it was impossible but I found another Brother Smith in brazilian form in my ward. I swear it's the same person! Glad to hear as well that we have another red headed (we suppose) boy coming, I hope you can handle another. Congrats Dad on losing 20 pounds, it looks liek youve lost the wieght I gained on the mission. I guess I've just kinda let myself go:) Well. like always I wish I had more time to expound but duty calls.

 

LOve Elder Bangerter

PS heres the two families we married

Another day of white( we hope)

Well we've been working with a that couple that I mentioned a few weeks ago that he is an inactive and she wanted to get baptized but the marriage didn't go through so we started to work more with him to bring him back to church. The whole time it had been kinda up and down but the other day we were walking to their house when my companion said ( Have you already imagined if we got there and they were separating?) As soon as we knocked, he came to the door to inform us that her family was there to pick her up and that it just wasn't going to work out. We left absolutely devastated but the next day he saw us on the street and told us to pass by because they hadn't separated. We were blown away. Anywho we went there on saturday to try and remark the marriage. I dont think I've ever had a more powerful lesson. It was fight after fight,and one attacking the other until at the end we challenged them to truly humble themselves and repent to let the Lord change thier lives and that if they didnt they would not find happiness. It was truly a powerful experience and I felt the spirit working through us. We managed to remark the marriage and we're praying that they go through with it. It is an experience a little hard to describe in full but it is definitely one that i wont forget. Overall, things are going well in my part of the nieghborhood and I'm lovin life. I've said before, and if I'm reading the weather signals right I do believe I'll say it again, being a missionary is the best!

 

Elder Bangerter

Another crazy opportunity

If there is one thing I am going to miss as a missionary it's the special privaleges you get. On Saturday we got to see Elder Dallin H. Oaks which was a pretty incredible experience. He is ther third that I've been able to see so far but of all of them, he is the onethat I am most familiar with so it was especially special. When he walked into the chapel he had a giant little boy grin and he was smiling almost the whole time. His voice is so familiar and commanding and it is so neet to hear it in real life. Before he bagan we all got to shake his hand and as I looked deep into his eyes there was a feeling that was hard to describe. I recieved a witness that he is and apostle and prophet of God and I will never forget it. My companion, Elder Santana also related to me afterwards that as he shook his hand, Elder Oaks called him by his first name. There was also a seventy there who gave an awesome talk on repentance and afterwards Elder Oaks spoke to us about revelation and what he has learned about it in his life. I tried to take really good notes but its hard to get it all down. I wish I could relate all of the experience but it was really a marking moment in my life and a great missionary motivator. As far as other things happening here, we'll have two baptisms and a marriage this week so I'm pretty excited for that. Pray for our investigatgors that they will go through with it. I hope you're all doing your missionary part back home and I love you all.

 

Love Elder Bangerter

October 18, 2010

Well it's been a pretty normal week. So basically it's been quite fantastic. The work is going really well, and we got some great investigators from the other area that closed. One is yet another couple with an inactive man and his wife who were set to be married and her baptized but they had abig fight two day before and it was canceled. This week however, we've really been trying to focus on the man, Junior, to address his problems and help him to return to activity. He was baptized at just ten years old and brought almost his whole family into the church but then went inactive. He made some very poor choices and the first time I talked to him a week ago he was having trouble believing in God and felt like there was no happiness in this life. We could have just left him, thinking that he didnt want anything and that he was lost but we testified and taught him as well as we could and every time we go there he pays more attention to what we say. We always mark a part in the Book of Mormon and he tells us how much he enjoys it because it was the exact chapter he needed. It is such a good experience helping him to realize the need he has to repent and the potential that he has when he does. For me it's always more special when you get to help someone who really needs to change thier life and to see the process. There is nothing greater in this life than sincere repentance. As always, pray for me and for our investgators.

 

Love Elder Bangerter

Same town with a new face in the crowd

So we had transfers today if you believe or not. I know you probably dont. Anywho, My good friend, Elder Corrêa was transfered afer 4 or 5 months here and I recieved Elder Santana who has four months on the mission. I'm very extremely much excited to work with him, he seems like a good hard worker and we should have alot of success this transfer. Last transfer we didnt have alot of visible results but we prepared alot for this transfer and we should start having some good stuff here soon. We're planning a marriage for mext week of and awesome couple, of which the husband is returning from inactivity. we also marked the baptism of a man who will marry one of the sisters in our ward so I'm glad to be working with families now. The area next to me closed so I'll be working in two areas now as well. Probably the best news of the day is that we cleaned the house today and it's AMAZING! Lets just say I should've taken before and after pictures because it's basically a different house now. It helps that we only have two people now. Other than than nothing to extremely or terribly exciting happened this week. I will say however that I am very upset at those individuals who went skydiving WITHOUT ME! I'd like to see you all in my office after my mission to explain your disbehavior. And just when I was beggining to believe you could trust the people in this world. But ya, life is extraordinary, thanks for you're love and support, I'll need your prayers to help with the little extra load. Love you all!

Love Elder Bangerter

October 4, 2010

KOREEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! Holy cow. I dont even believe it. Tim, you're the man/ you need to write me still. Also glad to hear all about your large stomachs Nicole and Crystal, I hope you're doing well. Conference was pretty awesome of course, I remembered lots of things that I'm really bad at and some things I'm really good at like pride. I especially enjoyed president Monson's talk on gratitude because it's something I need to do so much better. President Eyring promised in the begining of the session to listen for the spirit to tell you what to do, follow that prompting and that in doing such our faith would grow. For me I felt that I needed to keep a list of gratitude with me to lessen my pride and take for grantedness. I really enjoyed how he talked about trusting in the Lord. Thats awesome that you all got to watch the session, wish I coulda been there with ya. Oh ya one more crazy thing, that Dan Jones that I mentioned quite some time ago, that was in uncle Jared's finance class, is a bishop here now but yesterday I was talking to him and realized that his daughter is Macy that Doug was dating. Small world. As far as the work here, we've got two new couples that we''re working with where the husband was inactive but is returning and we should be baptizing both of the wifes soon and marring one that isnt married. They were definitely an answer to prayer and fasting to find a family to teach and I'm loving teaching/strengthening about the gospel. Families are the best! I hope you're all doing well and doing lots of missionary work back hope, love you all. Also everybody give Dan a big kiss for me this week and I do believe that a certain Jazmin Smith is having a birthday soon but I could be mistaken. Alright that's all.

 

Love Elder Bangerter

 

P.S. Hey dad could you send me a good picture of the aquarium so I can show it to people, that would be awesome!

September 27, 2010

My goodness, reading that email made me really excited. TIM WHERE ARE YOU GOING!!!!!!!!! I feel like a little girl about to watch a barbie movie. Also John, and Dillan you are the mans and averyone else preparing for the mission. I'm really goin crazy thinking about the army that will be leaving from our ward soon. It's also so cool that you to can work together on the missionary committee, it's almost like a senior couple mission. Also cool to hear the miracles of the wedding, glad to know it all went well. Also, I'm basically excited out of my mind for general conference, I've got a good feeling about this one :) As far as stuff thats happened with me since friday, pretty much not too much. We did have an activity at the church on saturday night which was pretty wild. We were trying to teach missionary and gospel principles with exciting competitions like getting the candy out of the bowl of flour with just your face( find people to teach), Fill up the water bottle with cups hidden around the church (fill your scriptural knowledge) , Tug of war (hold to the rod) and so on and so forth. I swear, every detail was perfectly planned and thought out by an incredibly intelligent group of missionaries but it was basically a reproduction of the civil war within the church. Luckily the Lord judges us based on the intents of our hearts. Other than that I cant think of a ton that happened. Love you all and keep up the good work!

 

Elder Bangerter

September 24, 2010

Hey sorry last week's email was a little lacking and this weeks is a little late, it's because we went to the temple today. It was awesome but that goes without saying. First items of business, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!, hope you're havin a great one, make sure you eat lots of cake. What are you at like 500 years by now? I'm in absolute unbelief that dan is almost home. Wait...ya, no I still dont believe it at all but oh well. watch out HIghland Village ward! Oh ya, I heard the bishoprick changed as well, Let Bishop Merrill know how much I appreciated his service and all that he did for me and our ward and our quorum and also send my support to the new Bishoprick! as far as news from here, everything is going well, my companion from the Provo MTC finally got here yesterday, pretty crazy! The other day I decided I ought to practice praying in english again but I kinda had to force the words out. I dont know if we ought to be worried or excited. Thanks for the message from Katy, tell her she's the greatest convert I've ever had in my life so she'd better stay strong and happy! Also glad to hear about the Noeltes, that's awesome! One more time, happy birthday dad, love ya tons and hope you're havin a great day! Oh, one more request for everyone reading this email. Ward activities and family nights and such really help out the work down here so if you could all suppliment my lack of creativity with some good group activities just send me an email. thanks, you're the bests!

Love Elder Bangerter

September 13, 2010

Hey so I have approximately zero seconds to email today but I figured I ought to let you know I'm alive and well. It was a fairly good week with weather in the high 70s. I think we'll be looking at some thunderstorms in the coming days keep tuned in. Just kidding, I dont know where that came from but ya I really actually dont have any time. Love you all, have fun and stay safe. COngrats Adam your older, now we just need to work on the wiser part!

 

LOve Elde Bangerter

September 6, 2010

SARAH'S MARRIED, JOHN GOT HIS MISSION CALL, LIZ GOT HER MISSION CALL, GRAY GOT HIS MISSION CALL, MY MOM'S FIFTY, BEN'S THIRTY, I GOT TRANSFERRED, LOTS OF OTHER BIG NEWS THAT I DONT EVEN KNOW ABOUT!!!! How about every body just slows down alright? Like really, I'm starting think that you've all forgotten that you cant do things while I'm gone. What happened to respect in this world anyways? Oh well. But hey thoug, congrats on everyones calls, holy cow i get so excited knowing you guys will get to do what I'm doing! Like sewiously guys, its the best (Homestar voice). sorry, stupid reference. But ya, I really am so glad that you guys get the opportunity to serve to and I'm excited to hear the others as they come.  Congrats Ben on 30 this week. I would would say your like a grandpa now but then I'd be telling the truth... Also, Sarah Ellen Shuck, congradustinklations, so bummed I had to miss it! Anyyways, as far as me, I got transferred again to JORDÃO ALTO  if you believe it. My new companion is Elder Corrêa dos Santos and he's the man. Because hes my companion. This area has been struggling for a while so we're gonna see if we can improve the situation a little bit. I'm sure the Lord will help if we give 100 percent. My last Pday in Boa Viagem was pretty awesome because the first man we baptised(Reginaldo) had been in the hospital for a long time so I never got to see him when I came back but he returned right before I left the area and it was so great to see his face light up when we came to visit him. He had the picture of the baptism still on the wall and it was great to see how he was doing and see him one more time before I left. Wish I had more time to catch up on stuff but you know how it is. Also sorry I didnt get to write last week. I'm finally getting some pictures to you as well.

LOve Elder Bangerter

1. So sometimes when you forget a normal shirt you just have to make the best of things.

2.  My friend made this tshirt, I thought it was pretty funny

3. Just to make you think I'm in the jungle

4. When we went to visit Reginaldo again

August 23, 2010

Well life goes on as normal. Not a ton to report but it was definitly a good week as always. There is a drunk guy who always speaks english with me so thats pretty fun. Also, I am very much addicted to Acaí and will probably die if I dont find it when I get home. We had kind of a surprise baptism because there was a lady atending another ward who actually would belong to our ward but the missionaries there were teaching her. Anyways, we still got to teach her a little but and we helped her overcome her fear of baptism(she was really scared) and the baptism was awesome. She already has a son who was baptised as well. Also, while we were at her house, her mother was there and she siad that she had been having really terrible nightmares. We gave her a blessing and at the baptism she repoted that they had ceased. It's pretty cool to have the opportuity to use the priesthood on a regular basis. Also kind of random, but lately I've been studying the history of the church and it's pretty incredible to read all of the accounts of faith that they displayed in times of trial. It amazes me how easy we have it and yet we still complain. I'm definitely grateful for our awesome heritage! As always, I'm loving being Elder Bangerter, and I'm not at all anxious to take off my nametag. KInda crazy that tomorrow makes 6 months. I'm no longer a Greenieee!!! As if I was ever a greenie! Anywho, love you all,chow!

 

Elder Bangerter, the incredibly dashing

August 16, 2010

My goodness I have such old parents! Just kidding. But really though, congrats on 31 awesome years, you ought to be proud of raising the best family on this planet Earth. Also glad you all had a great summer together and glad to hear that Nicole is doing a little better. I'm so happy to hear all about Sarah and everything that's going on in her life. I'm sad to have to miss it all but it's so awesome to know that she's happy. I've been thinking about how I'm going to make a book with all the baptisms here on the mission with a picture and a story but I think Sarah and Katy with be at the front. I'll never forget those baptisms. In fact, I think Sarahs baptism was my second journal entry. Give her a big hug for me! Good luck everyone who is returning to school for the Fall. Also, sister Leonard, thanks for the email it was awesome, I have my two family pictures up on the wall where i study. I can't believe Dan is already coming to an end and I'm just beginning, it's ridiculous. Also Davids going to college holy cow! As far as my week, it was really great, we found and awesome kid thats 18 years ols named Cristiano. We taught him the first lesson, gave him a BOM and the next day he said when we went to get him for church, he was all dressed with everything including a tie clasp. I asked him if he read and prayed and he paused a minute, pointed to the BOM and said in a very sincere voice "this book is true". It was really awesome. thanks everyone, I love you all

Elder Bangerter

August 9, 2010

Time is short but it's great to hear about everything that's going on and share at least a little of everyone's lives. This was a pretty darn good week, and we definitely worked a  lot which always feels really good. It's just so satisfying. The cool news of the week is that we're teaching a professional soccer player from the Pernambuco team, SPORT, (I know pretty creative name right). His wife is already a member and she called asking if we could teach him so thats awesome. In our first visit he told us about how he really wanted to learn more about the church because he wants to be sealed with his wife in the temple. It's pretty neat to see his determination and also his humility. You can really tell he wants to be better. I'm glad you had a fun fathers day at Ben and Whitneys, I dont know what this ridiculousness is being able to call on mothers day but not Fathers day. Oh well. That's also awesome that you got to see Parley P Pratts grave, I have been reading in his autobiography and his faith is truly incredible. He knew exactly what he would face and he still went forward without question. His story has truly grown my faith. I hope you all have a great week, love you all!.

 

Elder Bangerter

 

Oh, also I might have recieved a package from alice in case she was wondering.