Hot, Hot, Hot! 4/21/14

Kumusta everyone!
This email might be short cause I don't have much time and my brain is running a mile a minute, but it was a good week. This was probably the hottest I've ever been on my mission, and just when I think it can't get any hotter, it does! We spent many days this week walking in the heat of the sun, so I have some pretty nice tan lines at this point, I'll try to send some pictures next week. But despite the heat, the work moves on here! Since I've gotten here, we have been preparing a family to be baptized this upcoming Saturday. They're really awesome and the Book of Mormon has changed their lives. It's amazing to see their strong testimony, and the wife always says that she knows this is the true church. I'm really glad that I got the chance to meet them now, even if I wasn't the missionary to teach them, helping them to maintain their testimony is just as important to me.
So since I'm new here, I'm still trying to just figure everything out, but I already really like this branch. Lots of members are wanting to work with us, and I'm hoping that we can get some referrals from people this week in preparation for May. Next month, the mission is trying to get 100 baptisms, so it would be really great if I could add to the count. So far, we have no investigators...but that's all going to change this week, I have hope still! I know that God will place someone in our path who is truly ready, I just need to be worthy to find them.
Sorry, I don't have much to say this week, but I'll try to be better next week! Shout outs to Manmie Cherie, happy birthday! I sent you a card, so hopefully you should be getting it soon, I love you! I hope everyone has a great week, keep praying for those opportunities to share the gospel because this church is true!
Mahal Kita!
Sister Bangerter

They eat a lot of unripened mangos, they are the best!

pics of some nice seafood that people gave us

All  my clothes that I washed BY HAND, still feeling pretty proud about that :)

All my clothes that I washed BY HAND, still feeling pretty proud about that:)

We keep getting fresh food from the members here!

Agoo 3A! 4/14/14

Kumusta family and friends!
Wow so I am currently sitting here in a computer shop in my first new area! To give you a clue, sweat is dripping down my face as I type this, so yes, I finally got called to the lowlands! It's a little too bad I had to leave the summer capital of the Philippines in the peak of summer haha but despite the heat, I love it here so much already! My new area is in a small branch in Agoo. My companion is Sister Hatch from Alberta, Canada, so this is both of our first times to be with foreigners as companions. She's just six weeks behind me, but it super magaling (expert) we're going to have fun for sure! I miss the people in my last area, but I'm really excited to be here and I already love the branch members and even all the people that I've met here so far. I feel like I finally started my real mission in the Philippines haha this is how I expected it, hot, sweaty, and with the nicest people! And, I've already had some really memorable moments here in just my first few days. 1.When you're two white girls walking around in a little town in the Philippines with giant yellow umbrellas (this is a new rule because of the heat), sometimes people tell you that they've always wanted to marry an American haha yep not going back to that potential investigator again! Also, I'm getting to ride in tricycles for the first time and they're so fun, but really hard to get in and out of. Also, I've never had to carry around a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off of my face before, and I'm realizing the beauty of using baby powder, that's a life saver! Lot's of historical moments here on the mission!
But on a more spiritual note, I hope that ya'll got to watch general conference last week. We're a week behind here in the Pines, but I was so excited to finally get to watch it, and all the talks were amazing. You can bet I noticed the constant use of Helaman 5:12 during the Saturday session (favorite scripture for the win!). Some of my favorites though were President Uchtdorf's about gratitude, and Elder Bednar's about spiritual traction and the need of burdens or "loads". I'm so grateful for this counsel and I know that it's exactly what I needed to hear. Something that I'm learning more than ever on my mission is how to be truly grateful, especially in times of down. I've had a lot of really humbling experiences, and I continue to be humbled everyday. I know that this is something that I need to work on, and I'm grateful to be here learning how to develop Christlike attributes and be uplifted from the amazing testimonies of those that we teach. I hope that you all will read and apply these conference talks to your lives. I know that modern revelation is true and necessary for us to progress, and I'm so grateful to be a part of a church with a true and living prophet. We really are so blessed by the power of the priesthood and our living prophet and apostles.
This has been a really great week, and I'm excited to get working hard here in my new area in preperation for our goal of 100 baptisms in May! Shout outs to Sara, Shanoah, and Sami for the letters, and Mom and Dad for the packages!! I love you all and have a great week!
Mahal Kita!
Sister Bangerter

FHE Velasco family in Baguio

Our investigators Korrin and Daudin in Baguio

Just wanted to show how I'm a beast at jumping pictures

My new batch mates and MTC district friends on transfer day, S. Tapusoa and S. Sawada

My new companion S. Hatch

The sisters in Agoo 3A branch (me and S. Sidwell are still housemates!)

I love Baguio! 4/6/14

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!
Well this was another great and normal week of missionary work! I feel bad because by the time I actually sit down to email, I feel like I forget everything that's happened during the week, but I'll try to give you the highlights.
So this past week went by super fast I feel like, and now transfer day is Thursday. I have a pretty good feeling I'll be transferred since I've been here for six months, and I know that I will miss this area so much. I had to hold back tears all Sunday as I looked at the members who have literally become like family to me. I've learned and grown so much here and even though I've had some hard times, I realize why people love their first area the most. But nothing is set in stone, so I'll find out tomorrow if I'm really leaving or not. If I do get transferred, I'll probably go to the lowlands in the heat of the summer. I'll miss the nice cool and un-humid weather in Baguio for sure!
As for missionary work, this week was a lot of finding. Sadly, we dropped like all of our investigators this week because they really weren't progressing. It's true though that we only have a short amount of time here to serve, so we really need to focus on those who are prepared and willing to make the necessary commitments to accept this gospel into their lives. Sometimes as a missionary, I feel like I'm a parent of these investigators. Even though they are normally a lot older than me, everything I'm teaching them is brand new. I watch their excitement as they learn about a new commandment or principle of the gospel, and I feel disappointed when they choose not to follow or let it bless their lives. I imagine how frustrated my parents must feel every time they tell me to do something because they know it's best for me, and I don't do it. Sorry Mom and Dad, I should have listened to you more! But then, how much more does our Heavenly Father feel when we don't follow His commandments or accept His gospel.He has this amazing plan set forth for us, and we have to do is listen to His promptings and be obedient. I know it's easier said than done, but I think what I'm learning the most on my mission is that the better way to live life is just by simply following the commandments. You'll avoid a lot of heartache, and when trials do come, as they always do, you'll be better prepared to handle the situation, and you won't lose hope. Those are the blessings of Christ's gospel! Every question in life can be answered through the scriptures and prayer, I can testify that this is true!
I love this gospel and all the blessings that I receive and see others receive from it! I hope you all enjoyed conference, I can't wait to watch it this weekend, we are so blessed to hear the words of our living prophet. I also was able to watch Woman's Conference this past week, and I loved the words of President Eyring that the path of life is marked with covenants. I am so grateful for the covenants that I have made with the Lord, and I pray that I may continue to help people make and keep their baptismal covenants, and stay on the path to the temple as well. But the best part of the conference was when Sister Burton talked about a young girl in the Philippines, and guess who that young girl was...MY COMPANION!!! I'm not sure if you remember me telling ya'll about how Sister Burton and Sister McKonkie came to Baguio, but they when to church in my ward, and during relief society, we just shared personal experience about how the gospel has strengthened us. So that was my companions story that Sister Burton shared in the woman's meeting. I have a really amazing companion as you can tell, she's the only active member in her family, and went to church all by herself since she was a little girl. The people here amaze me every single day!
Well, I'm out of time, but some final birthday shout outs to Robin, Jaycee, and Marilyn, hope ya'll had a great day! And thanks for the letters Sara, Brooklyn, Mary Claire, and Elder Judd and the postcard Shanoah, I'll be writing ya'll back soon! And Tami Minnick for the package, you're the best!
Ok, I love and pray for you all, hope you have a great week!
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

Me eating a real life hamburger that some members made, omg the best!

The missionaries in Burnham 1

S. Sidwell made us Mac & Cheese! It's the little things! (also check out my amazing companion in the back haha)

My batch mates Baguio and La Trinidad Zone

Burnham 1 Missionaries 

Burnham 1 Missionaries 

My amazing companion S. Aroa and me 

One of my favorite members, Mommy Bennett, she cooks for us every Sunday and it's the best food ever! (she is the reason I am getting fat ha)

Carry on 3/30/14

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!
Well this week was basically an emotional rollercoaster every other day haha, but in the end, it always turns out great! So I'll start with the good news, Lorielyn got baptized!! It was a great baptismal service, and the best part was when she bore her testimony at the end. She's only 13, but she cried as she said that she knew the church was true, and her mom who has been inactive for a long time now was crying as well, it was so sweet. It's amazing the difference the gospel makes in people's lives, even when you just remind them of what they already knew to be true. There's an entirely different spirit when we go to their house to teach them now, and both Lorielyn and her mom are so happy to be going to church. Not to mention, that even her Mom takes notes in classes now too! Yeah I never thought that would happen, but like I said, the gospel changes people!
Well, time for the bad news. Things have gone way down hill with our other IBD Jean Jean. He's having a lot of problems right now, and doesn't have any money to support his family or even provide them with food. It's gotten to the point where he didn't really want to meet with us anymore because he thinks all of his problems started since he's been learning about the church. Not to mention, he lives with less actives who told him how much better their lives were after they stopped being members. So, it's a really tough situation, and I've spent many depressing nights racking my brain and praying about what we can do to help him. Right now, we're giving him some time to get things settled in his life, and we don't want for him to think that we're adding to his problems. It's the hardest thing to watch other people's families suffer and feel helpless about it. But what I can find solace in, is the fact that with faith all things are possible. He may not realize it now, but this church and gospel will give him the hope that he needs to make it through his trials. I know that the Lord will take care of him and his family. It's so peaceful to know that we are all children of the same Heavenly Father who knows and loves us more than anyone else can understand. If you can, please pray for brother Jean Jean and his family, they need all the prayers they can get at the moment.
But on a brighter note, despite the sadness I've felt over some investigators, the work continues to move on. I am learning so much and meeting some of the best people here, and I know that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be! I love you all so much, and hope you have a wonderful week! Shout out to Grandma for the letter, you should get one back from me in a bout 2 weeks!
Mahal Kita!
Sister Bangerter

My area

Loreilyn's baptism

Good Times at Pizza Hut 3/17/14

Kumusta Pamilya and mga kaibigan, and Happy St. Patricks Day sa inyong lahat! Not gonna lie, I totally forgot it was St. Patricks day, good thing the only jacket I brought to the Pines was green, so no pinches for me!
Anyways, I hope ya'll had a great week because I sure did! The work here is really progressing, and I love all the people that I teach! We have two people on the road to baptism at the moment, and I really hope that I will still be here to see them get baptized. It truly is amazing to see the gospel change people's lives when they thought there was no way for them to change. For example, the Arellano family. Brother Jean Jean thought there was no way for him to stop his vices and be that good example for his kids that he wanted to be, but now he's totally free of all word of wisdom problems, he's fasting and praying, and you can just see how happy his entire family is each time that we go to teach them. I really love him and his family, and everytime that we go to teach him and he hasn't done the reading yet, he asks if we can wait so that he can read the assignment first, and even goes and reads the scripture verses that are cited in the pamphlet too! Yep, God has prepared him for sure, and I know that the spirit has testified to him that this is the way his life can be changed for the better! Our other investigator getting baptized is the daughter of a less active member that we're trying to reactivate. She's only 13, but she reads her assignments everytime, prays, and loves for us to come and teach her. It's kind of funny because we sang the hymn "In Our Lovely Deseret" one time in a lesson with her, and she absolutely loves this song now! I'm not sure if any of you know this hymn, but it's a little weird and about the word of wisdom haha but it's her favorite now because it's so fast! She always asks for the mabalis song (fast) and we just laugh because it has nothing to do with our lesson anymore, but she wants us to sing it at the beginning and end of our visits haha weird how I now sing a hymn I had never heard of before on almost a daily basis.
Oh, also, this week we had a mission conference, so I got to see my trainer Sister Lazan and my "sister" Sister Spjut again! They're both STL's and they're companions again hah too weird! But the mission conference was really good, Elder Ardern and his wife of the 70 came to talk to us, and they really helped to motivate me in the work. They said that they wanted this to be the turning point in our missions to strive to work harder, to lose ourselves in the work, and give it all we can for the 18 months or 2 years that we are serving. They were right, and I want to really work my hardest here, and be able to go back and remember my mission with no regrets! They also told us of the mission goal for 100 baptisms in the month of May! I know that we can do it, and I'm excited to work my hardest to meet the Lord's expectations for me. The work is great here and I love being a missionary!
Well, that was about all that happened this week, just your average missionary life, but I had a bit of a crazy experience this morning. We had a zone activity of bowling again today, but before we met with the zone, me and Sister Aroa went to the post office and to withdraw our money. I was feeling fine all morning until we got the withdraw, and I started to feel really sick. I don't know what it was, but I started breaking out in a sweat, and I thought that I would throw up/pass out. We went to this Pizza Hut that was by the bank, and I just felt so terrible, so we sat down for a bit so I could rest. I was so pale and even lifting up my hand took so much effort, until I finally just layed down in the booth and asked Sister Aroa to call our STL's to see what we should do. I really thought that I was going to pass out in the Pizza Hut that actually wasn't even opened yet, and the workers were just talking about us asking why we were even there haha. So I rest for a little bit while we're waiting for teh STL's to get there, and when they do, they bring about half of the elders from our zone with them. Yep, at this point I just wanted to pass out from embarrassment haha. I still felt really weak, so the elders gave me a blessing right there in the pizza hut! It was probably the weirdest and most random hour of my life, going from feeling fine to almost passing out then having about 10 elders crowded around my table to see if I was ok lol. But don't worry, I'm feeling fine now, just a bit tired, and I know that priesthood blessings really work!
Hope ya'll enjoyed that random story, I'll try to be more spiritual next week, my mind is just a little scattered right now from you know the whole pizza hut incident ha. But shout outs to Grandma for the valentines day card, and Sister Behrmann, Elder Dunn, Sara, and Sydney Muldrew for the letters! Also I got the package from Mary Claire and Paisley, ya'll are the best, thank you so much!!
I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week, keep reading your scriptures and remembering Christ in your life everyday!
Mahal Kita!
Sister Bangerter

Me and Sister Aroa at Mines View in igorot clothes

the bowling activity this morning

Mines View

Igorot clothes at Mines View

FHE with the Vinoya family 

Me and Sister Aroa

My batchmates and me at our bowling activity today 

Best Week Ever! 3/9/14

Kumusta everyone!
Wow so this was an amazing week, and it was only week one of the transfer! Like I said last time, I'm trying to work really hard this transfer cause it will probably be my last one here and I want to leave with no regrets. So we worked probably as hard as we ever have before this week, and really saw the blessings of it. We exceeded our number of lessons for the standard of excellence, got the ok for one of our special case investigators to be baptized, and had one of our investigators at church who was a referral from church headquarters!! At the end of Sunday night when we sent in our stats, we were just so excited, and it really gave us the motivation to have every single week be just like this one. Yes, it is really hard, but seeing the fruits of your labors is probably the best feeling that there is!
Tomorrow will be my 6 month mark of my mission. It really is crazy how fast time flies out here, and it's starting to scare me. Even when I have rough days, there is nowhere else that I'd rather be, I know that for a fact! There is no greater joy than sharing the gospel and watching people progress and change their lives for the better.
Sorry this email is a little bit scattered, but I just wanted to share some quick experiences from the week that really made me realize how much God prepares people for us. One of our investigators is struggling with his smoking addiction. Each time we visit, we review how he's doing, and try to strengthen him by teaching him about the atonement and even fasting. One day this week, we went to teach him, and he had gotten down to 2 ciagarrettes, and fasted for the first time ever! He said that he was so hungry while at work, and said a prayer that God would help him make it through the day. After his prayer, he burped as if he was full hahaha he was so amazed and didn't feel hungry anymore, and now he has a testimony of fasting! So even though he didn't get to 0 cigarettes, he relied on the Lord to help him, God is just the best!
Then our other investigator who we got from church headquarters is just so golden! He truly is one of those people who found us and he is really seraching for the truth. He's been studying the BoM and really likes it, but didn't want to come to church until he did more research, but yesterday, he came to church! I think he really liked it, and the ward totally accepted him in. But the best moment was when Brother Melan, our recent convert, was talking to our investigator about the church and shaing his testimony with him about how he can know that it's true and how it's blessed his life and that he was so grateful for the missionaries. I was amazed, and that's what missions are all about people, bringing people unto Christ!
Ok well I hope you all had an amazing week, I love you all and pray for you everyday! Happy birthday shout outs to Icis and Elder Perez, hope ya'll had a great birthday!
Mahal Kita!
Sister Bangerter
Scriptures of the week: Alma 5:13-15 and Alma 7:23-24

Burnham 1A 3/2/14

Kumusta pamilya at mga kaibigan lahat!
So it's the start of a new transfer, and guess what?! I'm still in my first area haha it's going to be 5 months here in the same place. When I first found out, I was a little bummed cause I've just been here for so long, and I've had some rough times for sure in this area, but the more I think about it now, I'm happy to stay for at least another transfer. If I think back to when I fist got here in the open area, things were way bad. We had no one to teach, no help, and we didn't know where anything was. But now, I literally know this place like the back of my hand, I think everyone on the streets know who I am too! But even though I've walked through the same barangay's for almost 5 months now, there really is still so many people that God is preparing for us. There's so much that I've learned here, and I know that I will love this area the most. The members have truly become like my own family, and the investigators that we are teaching are really progressing and are on the road to baptism, it's amazing to witness. Hopefully we will have a couple of baptisms before the end of this transfer, so I'm really glad that I will still be here for that.
I think what I learned the most this week was about developing christlike attributes. I decided that since I will be here another transfer, that now is my time to work harder than I ever have before, and to try to come as close to Christ and being like Him as I can. I think this week was all about patience and charity. We had a couple experiences where people were flat out rude to us, and I was super stressed about things, but then I would always think to myself, would Jesus act this way, would He let these little things bother Him and distract Him from His purpose? Obviously, the answer is no. So there is still much for me to learn in this area, but I'm so happy that I'm still here with Sister Aroa and Sister Sidwell in my house. Me and Sister Sidwell are in the same batch, and are basically on the same mission right now haha we've been together since the beginning, so it's nice that she's still here with me too.
So things in Burnham 1 are as beautiful as ever, the work has been good, and we are really having a lot of success with referrals. I'm telling you, referrals are where it's at. Everyone, go out and refer someone to the missionaries, that's the best way to do missionary work, and it's so rewarding to see your friend accept the gospel in their lives and the change that it can make in them! This church is true, I witness the power of conversion everyday, and this gospel really does have the ability to change someones life and even their countenance.
I love you all so much, and I continue to pray for you everyday! Happy birthday to  Lexie and Bianca Justafort, hope ya'll had a great day! Also, I just got a TON of letters today, ya'll are the best, I knew you wouldn't forget about me ;) so thank you: Elder Shumate, Mom, Mary, Jaycee, Sister Behrmann, Elder Dunn, Sister Minnick, President Rogers, Grandma, Sydney Wallace, and Sister Groover! Ya'll are the best, letters coming soon!!
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

Scriptures of the week: Luke 1:37, Mosiah 2:41, and D&C 6:36

Random: Met a man from Temple, Texas at church and he actually knew where Denison was haha small world

cutest puppy in the world, it's name is Hammer, made me think of you MC cause you love dogs and duh, Hammer haha :)

Panagbenga (flower festival) that entire float is made of flowers!

FHE with our investigators, the Arellano family (they're referrals, they're awesome!)