April 27th

 

 

Family,

Things are starting to pick up for us in the work! Elder Villar was able to invite two of our investigators to be baptized this week, which was awesome! One of our investigators, M___A____, was recently married to a woman in the ward who is less active... But she is hopefully planning to come back to church, especially after Mike was willing to take the discussions with us. He was accepting to our baptism invitation and will decide on a date sometime in the near future. Our other investigator, M__A__ B____, who we found trying to contact a member of our ward who moved out, was open to what we had to say. We scheduled an appointment to meet with her last Saturday and we shared the Restoration lesson. It was so powerful and the spirit was so strong during the lesson. Elder Villar was awesome too and felt prompted to invite her to be baptized. Although she politely declined because she is very Catholic, she was still interested on learning more and plans to attend church with us in a couple weeks on mothers day:)

It really is awesome to train a new missionary and to see the progress of how they adapt to a life of 24/7 missionary work. It was just how it was with Elder Richardson and I when I first started. Yes there are some up and downs and a lot of the times it is not easy, but we have a great relationship. Elder Villar is awesome, one of my many good friends on the mission for sure!

Yesterday we also had our Regional Broadcast from Salt Lake City. Elder Anderson and Hales spoke from the General Authority to everyone here in the Eastern States. It was also announced during the Broadcast that Elder Holland would be speaking to all the Spanish here in Boston area. He plans to come here May 31st! It will be interesting and exciting to know what he has to say. I'm sure we will be getting permission to attend since his grandson, who is also our AP right now, is also one of the Spanish missionaries serving in Boston.

Thanks for all the letters and info on whats been happening! 

 
Dad- I got your letter, thank you. And that is awesome about Pat's Run! We should do that next year for sure. And whenever you want to take the trip out here to Boston, just let me know a date. I can probably start talking to some people and let them know:)

Karen- Thanks for the pics. That's great that Hayden is finally leaving for the mission. And wow he looks different too! Hope all is well with the other friends in the ward. Glad to know that you, grandpa, grandma and Jazzy had a great time in NOLA this past weekend! I'm sure it was a blast. FYI I'll let you know a time next week about skyping. 

Jazz- Let me know how life's goin for you. Love ya!

Gracias por todo. Se que nuestro grupo va a tener exito. Poco a poco con esto. Siguen adelante, les quiero mucho!

  

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

 

 

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