Magulow! 08/25/2014

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!
Wow, so another crazy week here in San Fernando! I feel like so much and so little happened this week and it just went by way too fast. I don't even know where to start honestly. Well, like I said in my email last week, Sister Tapusoa was going to be my companion until she had to leave to get knee surgery. She came back on Tuesday, and we were together until Sunday.It was such a short six days together, but honestly my favorite companionship, just hanging out and doing missionary work with my best friend. I was really happy for her to be back, but we both knew that there was an expiration date on our companionship, just not when it would be. On Friday, her legs were hurting really bad. We were in an open area which means a lot of walking and getting punted because we don't know where people live or when they will be home. This is exhausting for a normal missionary, but when you add a torn meniscus on top of that, it just put Sister Tapusoa in a lot of pain. So Friday, we couldn't work because her legs were hurting so bad, and then we had a meeting with President Balledos and he told us that her visa had just gone through and she would be leaving on Sunday. It was all so quick, but I'm grateful for the time that we had together, and that I could be her last companion. I'm really so thankful for all of the friends that I've made on my mission whether it be other missionaries or the people that I teach. I know that they have made an impact on my life, and hopefully I will have made a good impression on them as well.
So these past two weeks have been really crazy and emotional, but I think it's all getting normal now. For the rest of the transfer, I'll be in a trisome with the STL's here in San Fernando, so my new companions are Sister Rea from Australia, and Sister Parker from Hawaii. They're batch mates and go home soon, so it's fun to hear all of their mission experiences, and they are just fun people so we've already been having a great time! I honestly haven't done too much work this week with all the moving and trying to figure things out, but hopefully by next week I can tell you more about my area and the people we're teaching! I love you all, thanks so much for the emails and letters from Sara, Sydney Wallace, Dad, and the package Mom! Also, Happy Birthday Elder Rodriguez, Bishop Sybrowsky, Syd and Samuel, hope ya'll had a great day!
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

Me and Sister Tapusoa on our last full day together! When we first came to the Philippines we took pictures on the beach at President Balledos' house, and we got to end with a ward activity taking pictures at the beach too :)

Nakakabaliw 08/17/2014

Kumusta everyone,
This week has been a super emotional week for me for many reasons, but I'll start with the good stuff first. So right now, I'm sitting in San Fernando, I've been transferred to the San Fernando Ward here in the heart of the mission basically because San Fernando is where the mission office is with all of the leaders and President Balledos. I got the call on Wednesday morning that I would be transferred here into an open area, and my companion will be SISTER TAPUSOA! I couldn't hold back my excitement when President told me that. Sister Tapusoa was in my MTC district, and we've literally written each other our entire missions saying that we're going to be companions one day, and then it finally happened! But the only catch was that she was at the missionary recovery center in Manila because she has had knee problems from her torn ACL. But President told me that Sister Tapusoa would be back on Saturday, so I wasn't too worried about it. Since Thursday, my birthday was transfer day, I spent my last day in Agoo as if it was my birthday. We went and ate waffles for lunch of course, and then later that night we had FHE with President Mariano's family. It was really fun, and they invited the Abuan family over, so it was so nice to spend time with them before I had to leave. So I'm considering Wednesday to be my birthday now, because my birthday wasn't really the best day ever.
Now for the bad news, so on transfer day/ my birthday, we got down to transfer point, and I found out more news about Sister Tapusoa's situation. Her knee is in pretty bad shape, and if she has to get surgery, she will have to go home. We've waited for 11 months, and when we're finally supposed to be companions, she might have to go home. Nothing was definite yet but the rest of my day was spent without a companion, being in a few trisomes and crying over the fact that my best friend in the mission might have to go home. So this pretty much sums up the past few days for me, being split between my open area and the STL's area or the other sisters in my ward. I've been living out of several bags in between about three houses since Thursday, and I'm just ready for some stability in my life again.
These past few days have been really hard for me, I've done a lot of thinking, and I'm not proud to say, but a lot of crying about the situation. What I do know now though is that Sister Tapusoa will be back here later today. I'm so excited to see her, and we will be companions until her visa comes in and she will go back to the States for surgery. I know that everything that happens on my mission is for a reason and that my mission President is an inspired man. I am still really sad that Sister Tapusoa will have to go home, but I'm so grateful that I get to be the one to be with her until the end. I'm so grateful for all of the people that I've met on my mission, and for some of the best friends that I've made here too. With each transfer and companion that I have, I realize more and more how much the Lord loves me and trusts me with the companions that I have and the areas that I have as well. I know that God has a perfect plan for all of His missionaries, I'm ready to spend this next transfer with my bestfriend working as hard as I can to bring souls unto Christ.
Thank you so much for the letters Sister Todd, Sami, Brooklyn, Sister Behrmann, Grandma, and Mary Claire, and also the packages Mom, Dad, and MC and Pais! I got them all on my birthday so perfect timing! And Thank you so much everyone in my birthday video, it was adorable and I loved it!!
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

Waffles on my birthday!

Waffles on my birthday!

Abuan Family 

FHE with the Mariano's and Abuan's

FHE with the Mariano's and Abuan's

Sister Sidwell on transfer day

Sister Panganiban

Sister Aroa, my last companion in Baguio

Sister Spjut

Batch mates at transfer point

Patnubayan Ka Nawa ng Diyos-08/11/2014

Kumusta everyone!
Today marks my 11th month on the mission, it's so fast it blows my mind! But I still have 7 great months to work my hardest and give my best for the Lord. Sadly, this week is transfers, and I'm pretty sure I will leave, so I only have about three more days left in my favorite area. It kind of all hit me yesterday when both the Abuan family and Lucban family came to church. I love these investigators that we have right now, and it really breaks my heart to think that I could be leaving them when they're right in the peak of their progression. But that's just how mission life goes, you love people and then have to learn to say goodbye. I know that they will be a part of my life forever though, and I'm just happy that I could be a part of them accepting the gospel.
As for the rest of my week, things are still going great here in Agoo. I seriously love this area so much, the members, investigators, even the less actives that we teach, they have all been so loving and helpful here. I hope that my future areas are like this one, they just really get the prophet's counsel about working with the missionaries, and the growth of the branch has been proof of that.
Sorry, I feel like I don't have much to say this week, but know that I'm loving my mission and I really don't want for it to end.
Shout outs to Mom for the birthday card, and Sister Todd for the letter!
Oh and a random story from this week, we tried to preach by the way to this white guy because you know when you see a white person in the provinces you just have to ask them why their here. Well, I couldn't really understand his French accent, but he said something along the lines of, "I don't need to talk to you to talk to God, I can do that on my own, don't talk to me!" All I did was say hello to the man. But right after that, a less active invited us unexpectedly to his birthday party, so as you can see I really love the Filipino people, they are so genuine and kind!
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

I took a lot of pictures with some ward members this week because of the upcoming transfers. Also, the other sisters had a baptism of the Galera family, the branch is growing!

Prayer of Faith 08/04/2014

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!
Sorry I think I will always say that, but now ya'll can learn some Tagalog! When I know more ilakano, I'll switch it up a bit ;)!
This was a great week here in Agoo! We had interviews with President Balledos this week, and I may have extended...don't worry it's only a week, and it's because the temple here will be closed the first two weeks of March, which is right when I go home (not that I'm trunky ha) so I really want to be able to go to the Manila temple before I leave, so I may come home a week later, but I'll know more when it gets closer.
Also this week, we have really been focusing on the Abuan family, they're so great, I always love going to their house. We have to be careful because our lessons can sometimes turn into two hour long discussions ha, but it's always a good thing because they're progressing, and now have a baptismal date of September 20th! I probably won't be here by that time, but I know that they can make it to this date and that their lives will be eternally blessed once they're baptized. Brother has some word of wisdom problems with smoking, but they're really trying to get healthy now, so it was just perfect timing that we taught them the word of wisdom, and they really want to live it. Actually everything with them has just been perfect timing, I know the Lord really does just place people in our path who are prepared. Actually, we met them by accident when we were looking for a less active, and knocked on the wrong house. They let us right in, and although the first visit they said they don't want to turn their back on their church, now they have come to church, read the Book of Mormon, and want to be baptized! The gospel changes people.
Another great thing that happened this week, our investigator Nanay Huling finally had a break through! I think I've told ya'll about her before, but she's this sweet little old 69 year old woman who has a fracture in her knee where she can't bend it and has to sit with her legs straight out at all times. She can't come to church, and her eyes are too bad to read, but we have people reading to her and she prays constantly about what we teach her. It has been so hard for her to understand the priesthood authority and the ordinance of baptism. I think we've been teaching her those two lessons for about a month now. Just when I was losing hope, we taught her baptism again, and the next time we visited, she said that she wants to be baptized! The only concern, she didn't think it would be possible, but there's always a way to accept the gospel if you have the desire. We have talked with the Branch and our mission president, and she will be given the sacrament at her home after her baptism and all she needs to do now is continue to have that sincere desire and commit to living the gospel and the commandments. I am so excited for Nanay Huling, we'll be giving her a baptismal date this week!
Things have been so great this week, and I know it's because of my prayers. I was feeling like my prayers were getting pretty repetitious and routine, so I evaluated myself and tried to be more specific and sincere. I literally witnessed the blessings and felt the spirit so much more this week, I was happier and I know that the Lord is leading me in His work. Think before you pray, and realize that we're communicating with our Father in Heaven. We should talk to Him like a friend because He sincerely cares about us and is waiting for us to act in order to give us the help we need.
Well I love you all dearly and have really been praying hard for all of you, especially Uncle Vyrl, you're always in prayers and I know the Lord will bless and watch over your family. Thanks for the letter Amanda and the post card Shanoah, I love ya'll!
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

Wacky Pic!

Riding in a tryke

The day we had warrior games with the coconut ha and a water balloon fight afterwards, the elders were brutal.

One of our LA's just got a monkey!

Rainy Season!

To the Sherman First Ward! 07/28/2014

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!
So for starters, here are a few highlights from my week:
1. Our investigators the Abuan family finally came to church this week! We were at the chapel, and get a text that they're on their way, this is huge because legitimately no one ever texts us back. We had to keep ourselves from running to the front lobby because we were so excited, and just as we got there, in walks the Abuan family! I can't even express my excitment, and even though their 4 year old son was a little crazy, I could tell that they felt the spirit and really enjoyed it, and the branch members just welcomed them with open hands, they fit right in perfectly. This was the best Sunday yet!
2. Well, I can't go long without embarrassing myself. Yesterday, we were walking to an appointment, and I slipped and fell down this muddy hill. Got mud on the outside and inside of my skirt and yeah, I got to wash off, but was just wet for the rest of our proselyting. Don't worry though, only hurt my pride.
3. I finished the New Testament for the first time ever! I know the Bible is true so far as it is translated correctly, and I love seeing how much the Bible and Book of Mormon testify and support one another. They go together, and the Book of Mormon brings clarity to the Bible and the purposes of Christ's ministry!
4. I can't express enough just how much I love the people I've met on my mission. The members, our investigators, and even other missionaries. I know that I had to be called to the Baguio mission for these people to be a part of my life, and I'm so grateful for them. They have helped me to be a better person, and have showed me how to really live this gospel.
5. The area is great, I love Agoo, and I'm so happy here!
Now, on to other business, Sister Rodriguez emailed me asking for a letter to the congregation as part of Chris's farewell. I don't have a lot of time, but I just wanted to include it in my weekly email, so here it goes!
When I decided to go on a mission, I truly didn't expect how much it would change my life. From the moment I entered the MTC until now, I have felt the presence of the spirit more in my life every day, and have truly gained a testimony for myself of the importance and blessings of this gospel. I have always had a testimony of the church, but when you're serving a mission as a representative of the Lord, and introducing the gospel and the Book of Mormon to people who have never even heard of the church before, you get a special first hand witness of how much God loves His children that He would restore His true church back on the earth. I realize now more than ever how important my family is to me, and how our covenants through priesthood power will enable us to be together for eternity. This is the greatest gift that the gospel gives us in our lives, eternal salvation as a family. With each day of my mission, and as I immerse myself in the scriptures and the doctrine of Christ, I learn how I can be better, how I can really live the gospel and prepare my friends and family to receive these saving ordinances and eternal life. My mission has blessed my life in so many ways, that I probably won't fully comprehend until I go home. But with each transfer and each day even, I strengthen my testimony that God lives, Chirst is His son and our Savior, and He has never and will not ever forsake us. There is one true way to happiness in our lives, and it is through obedience to the Lord's commandments. I love my mission, I'm so grateful for every good and hard experience I have had, because as true disciples of Christ, salvation isn't easy, and sometimes living the gospel doesn't seem easy, but when we have an eternal perspective, the reward is far greater than we can even imagine. I love the Sherman First Ward, I gained my testimony because of my life among the great saints there, and every single teacher and friend that I have had in that congregation has impacted my life in such a way to lead me to the point that I'm at now. I love you all, and pray that you may live the gospel and take advantage of the blessings that we have, and want to share that eternal happiness with others. I have a testimony, that this is God's kingdom restored on the Earth today, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, amen.
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

Also, shout outs to Grandma, Brent, and President Rogers for the letters, and a super late happy birthday to Mary Claire, I'm the worst but I did remember and I hope you had a great 20th birthday chica!

Restoration is Key! 07/20/2014

Kumusta everyone!
Well we just had a super fun zone activity where we basically wrestled/played rugby with an oiled up coconut, only in the Philippines! But it was way fun, and sadly my camera died, so I can't send any pictures, but next week I'll be more prepared!
Well, I don't have much time now, and not too many things happened this week, but there was Typhoon here. Actually, it was just super strong winds, but we had to stay inside all wednesday so it kind of threw things off for the week. But something I did learn this week was how important the Resoration really is for our conversion. We've been working with some super amazing families right now, and they are so close to accepting the gospel, they just don't fully understand the Restoration yet and how this makes our church different from others. So we've been reteaching this so many times this week, and as I study it and bear my testimony about prophets, the apostasy, and Joseph Smith, it only confirmed my testimony of these things. The Restoration was a turning point in the history of the world. Because a 14 year old farm boy wanted to know the truth, Christ's true church has been restored. This has always been a part of God's plan, and God never changes. He called prophets before to declare His gospel, and He still does today. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, I love him and sustain him as the Lord's mouthpiece on the Earth.
Well sorry this was a lame email, but I'll be better next week. The church is true!
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

I love Agoo 3! 07/13/2014

Hello everyone!
So this week went by so fast, and it made me realize that I probably only have 5 more precious weeks here in Agoo! I really love this area so much, and all the people that I've met here. This branch has really become like a family to me, and I'm so grateful that I could stay here for 3 transfers so far, but it just makes it that much harder to think about leaving, so I have to enjoy each day as much as I can! Missions really go by so fast. Just this week, I hit my 10 month mark, where did the time go?! I feel like just the other day, the age change happened and then I was filling in my mission papers. I know that I've changed and grown a lot since being here, especially during this time that I've been training. The mission matures you, sometimes a little too much when people tell me they think I'm 25...haha but it's ok, still young at heart!
Well this week, we had everyone unload their problems on us, but that's just the life of a missionary. Sometimes it amazes me how much people trust just these two young girls that knock on their door and come into their lives. But they recognize us as servants of the Lord, and with that calling comes a special authority and spirit that people feel that we can help them with their problems. I know that by myself, I am just a 19 yeah old girl in a foreign country, but since I have called and set apart, I have the Lord's promise that He will strengthen me and give me the ability to help strengthen others with their problems. I realized this week that it really is true, no matter what problem we have in our lives, a principle of the gospel can solve it.
Well to be honest, there's a ton of little kids in this internet shop singing John Legend and playing video games, so my mind is kind of all over the place at the moment, but just know that this was a good week and I continue to learn so much everyday! We are extending a lot of baptismal dates, but like I said about people have some problems, not sure if everything will work out, but I know that God always has a way to fulfill His purposes, so I'm not losing hope yet! With faith and diligence, I really think that we can have another baptism by the end of this transfer as well.
I love you all, thanks for the emails, and for those who don't email or write me, you should! Shout outs to Grandma and Kyrsten, happy birthday, I love ya'll!
Mahal Kita,
Sister Bangerter

My favorite branch members that realize the importance of member missionary work, they're the best! Oh yeah and we got elders in our branch too, one is from Cebu and the other is from Tonga, but he's white!