November 24th

Family,

Today is freezing.... Its only a chilly 65 degrees to be exact:) I'm so grateful for days like this when I can enjoy a bit of warm weather before the snow actually comes. (Not looking forward to it at all). But this week was a great week for us here in Connecticut. We actually met with S____ yesterday and talked with him about his baptism that is going to take place this upcoming Sunday. I am so excited for him!!! He even agreed to allow me to perform the ordinance for him. I'm so blessed that we were able to help him progress, which will also allow him to receive the Holy Ghost and the Aaronic Priesthood afterwards so that he can have the chance baptize his wife and his son. its great! Unfortunately, we will probably have to postpone A____'s baptism date for the next month. She says that she will most likely be ready during that time. But its alright though, its only for the best for her whenever she feels ready and a time that is right. All in all, it is really a great time for us! We already have 63 baptisms throughout the mission, which means only 7 more baptisms need to occur for the next week- We have about 30 baptisms that are going to take place throughout the mission next week, including Steve's. We are thrilled overall here in our mission. We know that the Lord has blessed us with miracles and has allowed us to see the blessings and the changes that occur, through conversion, by being baptized in his Holy name. I have a strong testimony of that and hope to continue to have more experiences like these throughout the remainder of my mission. (Mosiah 18:8-13)

As for me, I am doing well:) I definitely feel a lot healthier in regards with my physical health overall. This week, we also have our transfers coming up. I have been here in CT for about 3 transfers now, so I have no idea where I will end up... (hopefully I can stay here for at least 1 more). But its wherever the Lord wants me to serve. 

Dad- Thanks for the letters man, I will look for the next one this week. I am so excited for our new temple too! I was able to watch the videos for both the cultural celebration and the dedication. It is great to have a temple so close to the house, I'm glad you were able to go this past week. Tell Frank "beefy" wants to make a trip out there sometime next year! (Some of my post-mission plans that I have). 

Karen- That's exciting that you are going on a cruise with everyone, including Grandma and Grandpa B lol. That is fun to hear! Also, those gloves might not be a bad idea. Only 1 more winter to survive... Enjoy the weather in AZ as much as you can! :)

Jazz- Are you going back to LSU after? Let me know the plans. I'm looking forward to the skype on Christmas for sure, its just right around the corner:) Disfruta el resto de la semana hermana! Te Quiero!

I hope you guys enjoy your thanksgiving, whether in Chicago, Chile, TX wherever you guys are at. I just want you to know how thankful I am to be a missionary and a representative of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful to have the knowledge that pertains through diligence and obedience and to be lead and guided everyday by the Holy Spirit. I know that this gospel is real, for I am able to live it. 

And as well, I am thankful for all your love and support which you have given me. Let the folks know in Chi that I say hi and that I'm doing well. Have a great week. Les quiero mucho! 

April 7th

Family,

I am doing well and I had a good week. Conference was great! I don't think I can express enough about the importance of General Conference and the blessings that come when we follow and act upon the teachings of our Prophet, President Monson, his Apostles and the General Authority. I don't think I could pick out a favorite talk either because they were all way good. I am also blessed to receive a personal witness and testimony of the promptings that I felt as I watched Conference. I know what they said to be true because I received my own confirmation through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

I don't really have too many other things to say. The work is steady right now. This week we just extended a lot of invitations to watch both the Saturday and Sunday sessions of Conference. This week we will be following up with a lot of these people that we extended this invitation to. 

Unfortunately nothing new has happened since I last wrote to you guys from last week. Maybe I'll have a cool story or something for next week.

Dad- I got the package with the letter. Thanks again for that! 5 miles. Wow, you're the guy. Keep it up! 

Karen- Enjoy Palm Springs with Dad. Let the Hampton's and Sis Moser know that I'm doing good.   

Jazz- Te mande un otro correo. Te quiero.

Hathaway Family- Hope you all enjoyed conference! Love you guys.

Have a good week. Keep working hard. I love you guys.   

Elder Berthelson

BostonStrong

January 6th

Family,

 

Thank you guys for your testimonies and powerful messages- (jazzy w/ the message on priesthood) that you guys have written to me this past week. I too have had a great week with amazing experiences as well. One of which happened just last week when we were teaching one of our previous investigators, whose name is B___. He's a 17 year old Dominican kid who lives in the "projects." He was taught many times by the missionaries before we started working with him, but he never really progressed. So a couple weeks prior we just simply asked him what principle he wanted to know more about, and he told us he was interested on knowing more about the Plan of Salvation. So last week, we were able to have a lesson on that topic, and while I was bearing testimony of our Savior towards the end of the lesson, I had a direct prompting to invite him to be baptized at that moment (we never planned on setting a baptismal. date for him since its been so long since we worked with him). He accepted the baptismal invitation for the next month in February. 

 

It's amazing to know how promptings by the holy spirit work in our lives. I know that they are direct messages from the Lord that come by certain thoughts or feelings we have, that prompts us to make decisions that will ONLY lead to the BEST outcomes. Specifically what I experienced this past week with B____, it just "clicked" for me to extend that invitation to him. The thought that also came to my mind as well (that dad might also be familiar with) goes as- "Some may not want to go to the party, but everyone wants to receive the invite..." 

 

I'm blessed to also be working with an amazing companion as well, Elder Gonzalez (from Salt Lake, grew up in Mexico). This guy has really helped me reach my fullest potential when it comes to working hard on the mission and epecially gaining spiritual knowledge. I already mentioned to you guys how he has a photographic memory, knows many languages, etc. but he also has many other incredible gifts that are absolutely amazing as well. (I will refrain from writing it in this letter in due respect to him). But nonetheless, he has helped me to become the best I can be, which is an amazing blessing to me in my life.

 

 

Karen- It was pretty funny when I got my package because I opened it up and the first thing I pull out is the chocolates, that were all melted... that's how I knew it was shipped from AZ:) But thank you again for the package. I'm sure the other missionaries appreciate the little things that you do for them as well. Before I thought it was weird that you would go out of your way to buy goofy ties or little things like that for the sis/elders, but now I kind of understand, kind of:)

 

 

Thank you guys for all your love, prayers, and support. I am starting to see the changes in many lives here on my mission, especially my own. Keep working hard this week. I love you guys. 

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong