August 18th

Family,

I am doing well. Yesterday we had our baptism for L____ B____! My comp was able to perform the ordinance for her. We were all super thrilled and I think her mom has also taken some interest into learning more about the Gospel as well. Her family is originally Catholic, but after all that happened yesterday with the baptism, I believe it may have just sparked a little bit more of interest for L____'s family to want to learn more. We'll just have to find out. Nonetheless, it was a great day overall! 

Other than that, not too many things have happened over this past week... Kind of like you guys, it has just been one of those weeks. Except for Jazzy, wow! Even though it might have been from the previous week, that is really exciting to hear about N______ and also the conversation you were able to have with one of your members who didn't have a testimony of the BOM. But through inspired questions, you were able to reach out to his needs, which I'm assuming was exactly what he needed at that point. I'm sure you guys were able to be a huge blessing for him. Way to stick it to the members J! jaja:)

One of my favorite things about being in the position that I'm in now is that we have the opportunity to go on exchanges once a week. I am able to relate well to a lot of the missionaries, some whom I wouldn't think I'd have anything in common with them. I'm able to not only see their view point as a missionary, but I'm blessed to be able to work with these missionaries on a more personal/spiritual level. This is absolutely one of my favorite things to do as a missionary, to help other missionaries find ways to grow and become successful. 

Thanks again for your letters! 
K- Thanks for the addition to my checking account. Just to let you know though, I had to get a brand new suit tailored. So right now my balance is low again... if you could just add an additional 20 I'd appreciate it. 
Dad- I think I remember you telling me about a month ago or so that you were planning to go to a couple of A's games in Oakland for your B-Day. If that's so, I hope you enjoy the time out there, great memories for sure!! Happy Birthday Dad:)

Hope all is well this week.

Les Quiero mucho!! 

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

December 30th, 2013 - Last post of 2013

I am doing well and working hard. We were able to pick up 3 new investigators since we last spoke on Christmas, which is pretty exciting for us! They're names are: R____, F____ and J_____. We taught the first discussion with R____ and extended a baptismal date to him as well. He said that he needed to wait and receive confirmation, but we believe he could be ready as early as the beginning of February. With F____ and J____ it was a little more difficult. We taught them the same first discussion but later found out that both of them didn't know how to read, at all. (It would be kind of hard to be converted to the gospel if you couldn't even receive revelation through reading the book of mormon, let alone read.) So we are planning on helping them as best we can with teaching them how to read through easy gospel principles. Hopefully everything works out for them.

 

I am almost complete with my goal. There's only 2 days left of 2013 and I have the last 3 books of the Book of Mormon to read. I might have a couple long nights ahead of me but I am determined to complete it. As long as I do my best, I know that the Lord will bless me for my efforts. My next goal by the way will be to take Aaron and Felix to the temple in the next couple weeks to do baptisms:)  

 

Besides that, not much has been happening since the last time we talked on Christmas. I was blessed to have talked with you guys and it sounds like everyone is doing great! It was nice to see you guys happy an doing well.

 

 

Karen-......

Thats great how you were able to see Tyler Mander again. And it sounds like Kennedy Coley is ready to go as well. That's great for her.  

 

Thanks for all the updates and the news. Keep doing what you do. Les quiro. 
 

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

December 2nd

Family,

I am doing really well.  We have been constantly working and progressing day in and day out. My Thanksgiving was also pretty good, I was able to have dinner with a member family of our ward, la familia H____. It was a traditional american-style turkey Thanksgiving like normal, but I was able to say all the things I was grateful for around the dinner table in spanish. It was different, but I liked it.

I also had the incredible opportunity to ordain A____ with the Aaronic priesthood last Tuesday and so he was able to bless the sacrament yesterday for the first time in sacrament meeting. Not only was he able to do that, but he was able to say it in spanish! It was such a cool experience for him. We also have a temple trip coming up in another 2 weeks or so (around Christmas), so I will also have the opportunity to go with him to do baptisms! It's just incredible to see his spiritual progression and for me to be the one to witness all of it.  

Another great experience I had, yesterday my companion, Elder Gonzalez, was able to baptize F____ H____. The spirit was so strong as F____later bore his testimony in front of everyone after the baptismal ordanance. It was great to be a part of the baptism and to be able to work with F_____, who already has such a strong testimony. 

I'm very blessed to have had the experiences that I've had this past week. I am also blessed to say that my spanish is actually improving a lot more than it has been before. I really struggled for the longest time with the language, but I figured I would try President Hinkley's promise, which was to read the entire Book of Mormon out loud in a different language (spanish- for me). I only started this a couple weeks ago and made it a goal to finish the BoM by the end of the year. I have complete faith in this promise. I know I can do it:)

President Gordon B. Hinckley declared: “Those who have read [the Book of Mormon] prayerfully, be they rich or poor, learned or unlearned, have grown under its power. …

“… Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts … the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (“The Power of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, June 1988, 6; see also “The Book of Mormon,” Tambuli, Oct. 1988, 7).

Thank you guys for all of your messages! I'll continue to pray for those certain individuals in my personal prayers. I'm blessed to hear all is going well. Keep it up. Love you guys.