Sunday, February 8, 2015

Mahal Ko 'To 2/8/15

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!
Wow, this will be my last time to email as a full time missionary here in the Baguio Philippines Mission. The time has gone by so fast, it seems like just yesterday I was in the MTC, and now, I'm reaching the final days of my mission. It has truly been a wonderful journey and I've learned more in these past months than I would have ever expected. No one really tells you what serving a mission will be like, and honestly, it's hard to put into words, but I know that this is the best decision that I've made, to come out and serve the Lord. I've learned to love and to serve others more than I ever could have imagined, and I know that I will remember these people that I've met and the experiences that I've had for a lifetime. I know this church is true, and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, and through him, we have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ here on the Earth, and it will never be lost again. I know that missionary work is essential, and the Lord is truly hastening HIs work in our days. Every member is a missionary, and my service will never end. It's going to be a sad day when people no longer call me Sister Bangerter and I have to retire my nametag. I love my mission so much, and I can't wait to tell ya'll everything that I've been doing for the past year and a half, and how it has changed my life.
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

Sunday, February 1, 2015

02/01/15

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!
So I'm really enjoying my new area here in Pacdal! I live in the Ibay's Zion Hotel (It's owned by a member in our ward who I consider to be the Great Gatsby because she's super rich and we never really see her and she feeds us and throws big partys so yeah, the Filipino Gatsby), so pretty much living a life of luxury with all the souvenirs I want right outside my door. But really, it's a tender mercy that I was transferred here, this is a great area to end my mission, and the people here are so prepared too! And my companion is my batch mate Sister Sidwell who I've lived with for 11 months of my mission, and we've always been in the same zone until last transfer, and now we're finally comps! I think my future husband will have a lot of her qualities or something haha. Anyways, I really love my area here, and we have been working hard and found so many people who are really prepared for the gospel, so I'm excited to see how they progress for the time I have here. Also, we taught the most lessons this week that I've taught since being back in the highlands #nottrunky! So the work is going really well and I'm excited to keep preaching the gospel and inviting others to come unto Christ in these last two weeks. I've really been looking back on my whole mission, and I'm so grateful that I chose to come out and serve. My mission has really blessed my life and taught me the importance of living the gospel, and I know that I'll remember what I learned here for the rest of my life. I'm so lucky that I got called to serve in the Philippines, I love this place so much. We had a ward family home evening on Saturday, and as we sang the closing hymn "Famlies Can Be Together Forever", I just looked around the room and wanted to cry seeing all these sweet and humble Filipino's with their families singing proudly in their English accents. I love it here so much, and I've learned so much from the Filipino people. If we were all a little more charitable like the Filipino's are, the world would be a better place.
Next week will be the last time I email before I go back home. This has been a great journey and experience, and I'm so thankful for my mission.
Mahal Ko Kayong Lahat!
Sister Bangerter
Ruado Family in Quezon Hill

Members in Quezon Hill

Bishop Duque's family from QH

De La Pena Family from QH

Me and Sister Sidwell

My new area

My first Ward Mission Leader from my first area in Burnham!