Family,

I hope this email finds you well. It sounds like everyone kinda had one of those weeks... I can't believe someone would vandalize us, that would tick me off as well. But just remember that the situation could have been a lot worse (that no one was harmed). I'm blessed that you guys are ok, its still a shame that that happened. Dad, I know exactly what you mean- some of my hardest struggles on the mission have unfortunately been based off what you wrote to me in the email. We'll talk about it when I get home.

This week for me was a pretty good week. We had our Zone Conference in Hartford, CT. last Thursday, which was awesome and then our baptism was this past Saturday. It was a blessing for me to be able to perform the ordinance for B____. He is a 15 year old kid from Ethiopia and he is also planning to go to the Temple to do baptisms for the dead for his father, who passed away when he was young. I know that this is an incredible moment in his life right now. Also over this past weekend, we had our AP's come to our Zone to do exchanges with us and we were able to get great insight on ways to improve the work here in New Haven. We are going to be focused on our finding efforts in order to have more opportunities to teach. We are blessed for the success in the work that we have already had and hopefully will continue to have. Elder Lee and I are tearing it up!

Dad- What a way for Jeter to go out the way he did. That's incredible. That would be a dream to end off your career with a walk-off to win it. Thanks for all the updates, I appreciate it

Karen- Thanks for the pics. Frank was able to baptize his little girl and Hunter got the Priesthood:) Sweet! I'm glad Cambria and Hunter are having fun with you guys. As well, I will let you know if there is anything I need. 

K/Dad- I wrote you guys a separate email. I will explain my situation in detail in that email.

Jazzy- Te quiero Hermana!

Keep working hard guys, despite what happened over the weekend just remember to keep your head up.

There are great times ahead, especially with everything going on with our new PHX Temple!!! 

Love you guys! 

  

Elder Berthelson

BostonStrong

My district and I and a member family went to the NE Pats training camp this past Monday. It was way cool!

One cool story. Elder Rich and I have been working with a less active youth in our ward and we've been trying to work with him to get him to come back to church. His name is R_____. Pretty funny guy, about 18. We've been working with him for a couple weeks already and he just doesn't want to do anything with the church. So last Wed, my comp and I decided to visit with him at this chinese restaurant where he works at. We made a bet with him that if we ordered the nastiest thing on the menu, got the largest size of it, and ate it all, then he would have to attend church the next Sunday. We ended up eating this nasty turtle meat and fried rice that probably weighed a good 5 lbs. I was so sick after that haha. But it was worth it since he came to church, stayed for young mens (which we taught during that hour) and he actually enjoyed it! It was pretty cool.  

 

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Also, this past Sunday, I finally got to make my way over to Hartford, Conn. to see a woman's baptism that Elder Richardson had been working with prior to being transferred with me to RI. It was a pretty cool experience for him to see that. 

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I'll end off with my testimony that I know that when we go through difficult times, great or small, that the Lord is helping us to grow stronger and to help us become more like Him. It's difficult at times to understand that concept at that moment but with faith and understanding, Heavenly Father will provide a way to bless us to find happiness and joy in our lives. I've seen miracles already happen to me, through service, that has helped me overcome pain and heartache, which allows me to be happy.