June 2nd

Family,

These past couple days have been incredible! On Sunday, we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Holland at the Latino Conference held in Weston, MA. Almost all the people, whom I love very much, from all the Spanish areas that I've served in on my mission attended the conference. Everyone that I've basically worked  with was in the congregation that night to hear from an apostle of the Lord. It was the family reunion of my mission! It was very sentimental to see all these people again, one of which included Abuelita Argueta. I had not seen her for more than a year and a half, so it was amazing to be able to see her again:)

I'm attaching a photo of Elder Jeffery R. Holland. What an honor it is to be able to look this man in the eyes and to shake his hand. I know that he, as well as the other remaining General Authority, are called of God to lead and guide this church. I do know that this church is true and what a blessing it is to serve at this time. 

Thank you for all your love and support. I'm still running towards the blast! 

Love you all. 

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

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

 

 

June 30th

Family,

Thank you for all the packages, letters and emails that were sent out for my birthday!!! I appreciate all the things that were sent, including that banner.. hahahaha! I didn't get to do to much as far as celebrations go and all that, just work. You know how it is. But it was nice to have also had the time to do something cool for both mine and Elder Johnston's "back-to-back birthdays." So last night Elder Johnston and I had dinner with one of my favorite members, the B________ family- they are from Milan, Italy. So talk about the best way to celebrate, with authentic Italian, Nothing Better!! :) We ate soooo well! Pasta, Chicken, Homemade Italian Bread:) Sis B_______ was also able to embarrass me a little bit by showing everyone that ridiculous picture from facebook that K posted, man do I look cheesy. You know I don't like pics lol.

 

 

But one of the things that I was really blessed to do was to have had the opportunity to attend a fireside that was held last night by the stake. Johnston and I were in attendance to translate, but none of the Hispanics showed up to the fireside... We were still able to be a part of the fireside and hear all the talks that were spoken nonetheless. The theme of the fireside was "Conversion unto Christ." Our Stake President, President Holland (Son of Jeffery R Holland) spoke about a time when he was converted in his own way to the Gospel. As for myself reflecting on his talk, it kind of hit me that as a guy (like my Stake President), that grew up in what I'm assuming to be a well Gospel-Oriented household, would ever come to his own way of Conversion. He even made a scriptural reference that I thought to be interesting as well, from John 9:25 by saying "He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." He later emphasized that last phrase at the end of the scripture that illustrates- "Now I see." 

As I reflected, I thought about a time to when I had truly been converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or a specific time to where I realized my own conversion. There have been several small moments, especially throughout the course of my mission. (Some of which I can share and express more when I can tell you them in person). But I do know about the importance of conversion and what it means to every person whether members of the church or a recent converts. Everyone should have their story or moment of how they have come to know of the truth for themselves. Something that I am also in the process of knowing and will continue to learn as well. When was the time or experience when you guys gained/strengthened your testimony or were otherwise "converted" to the Gospel? Just something to think about...

I had a pretty good week as far as the work goes. Elder Johnston and I are cleaning out our ward list by doing everything we can to contact the Hispanic people in the area of Lowell, either by phone, knocking on doors, talking with neighbors, etc. to determine if they are still even living in the area. We don't really work too much with investigators, the primary purpose or our assignment is to form the Spanish Group and bring back those who have fallen away and invite them to return. We have had small miracles this past week doing so. One of which included a lady, N___A____, that was "lost" and hadn't been a part of the church in over 10 years, but we had re-established contact with her because we managed to sneak our way into her apartment complex. Just doing what you gotta do I guess lol.

Everything else is going well. Jazz- Lo siento sobre tu equipo... Nadie pensaba que chile estuviera jugar la manera que jugaron. Todo es la representacion que Chile hizo en la copa. Estoy seguro que hay muchas personas alli que todo villa estan hablando de todo de esa. Espero que todo vaya bien con tigo. Estoy emocionado a recibir su carta en el correo! Gracias Hma!

(Sorry about your team ... Nobody thought that chile was playing the way they played. Everything is the representation that Chile did in the cup. I'm sure there are many people all around town are talking about that. I hope everything goes well with you. I'm excited to get a letter in the mail! Thanks Hma!)

 

Dad/K I am sending a separate email later on. Thank you guys for all your love and support! I love you all.    

(Pics: Lowell, MA. 6/28 and 6/29 Dinner and Desert)

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

June 2nd

Family,

 

I can't believe it's already June... Finally the weather is somewhat warm!! This Thursday will also mark the first year completed for my mission as well. I just can't believe how much time flies. But I know and am also learning to try to enjoy every moment and every opportunity, because I only get to do this once.

  

Thank you for all your letters and packages. Dad- I received the package with the letter and pictures. It sounds like we got a lot of catching up to do as far as trips to take and courses to play. I'm way excited for whats to come. Just be patient man:) Karen- Thank you for the pants! It feels good to have a little bit of a change to the wardrobe haha. Oh and I got the amazon package with the proactive and mangos. Yes, thank you!!! lol. I don't know if you know, but can you send a thank you to whoever sent me the book called "Trust Jesus" by Elder Holland. (They forgot to send a return address of who it was from). I really appreciate all of the letters and packages that you guys send.  

 

As for me, I am doing great! This past Wednesday, as Elder Johnston and I were hanging our flyers for the Spanish Group on the front of the doors in the little spanish/brazilian stores and resturants, we came across an African-Jamaican restaurant and decided to hang one up there. We felt like it was still a good idea since we were still in the small Hispanic section of town just across the river from downtown Lowell. So as we asked the owner if the restaurant if we could hang our sign on his door, we started explaining to him who we were and what we were about. He said that he had heard of the LDS church from Mitt Romney but not too much other than that. He also told us that he had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and was interested to know more about our message. So the next day we went back in that same restaurant and taught him the Restoration Lesson. The lesson that we taught him at that restaurant, I believe, was one of the most powerful lessons that I have been able to teach on my mission. The owner's name is A___ M____, a 40 year old from Sierra Leon. He is also one of the most humble guys I have ever met as well. He's a single father with 2 little girls and had the opportunity to come to the states about 10 years ago. He has to work two jobs to support his little family but is very positive and hopeful about his situation. Anyway, I could just see it in his eyes as we were teaching the lesson that he was genuinely looking for the truth and had the desire to know more. We were also able to leave a blessing over his restaurant after we were done teaching the first discussion, which was also very powerful as well. We extended a baptismal date for Al to be as soon as in the next 3 weeks, after he attends church and continues to keep his commitments of reading the Book of Mormon. The only set back we still have with him is that he occasionally smokes cigars. Unfortunately as well we have to pass him off to the English Elders as they will need to work with him as he further progresses. That is something that we will still have to work out, but I can honestly say that he has a great desire to change and was truly ready to hear the gospel in this time in his life.      

 

Yesterday we finally started the Spanish Group in Lowell! President Packard was even in attendance as well with his wife and son, who just recently came off his mission from Santiago Chile North (diff than Jazz). He ended up translating for them during the fast and testimony meeting. But wow! The sacrament meeting that we had was so strong. Many people from the other Spanish ward (15 min away outside of our mission boundaries) came in attendance to support our group. But we also had a few who were in attendance that haven't been to church in years. It really was a blessing to witness the success of our work. We ended up having a total of 42 people for our first Sunday for the group! We were blessed to have had a lot of those people who hadn't attended church in a while come up to the pulpit and bear their testimonies on how this small little spanish group is like a family. We know that it will take time for it to grow, but all things come in due time of the Lord. I am blessed to know that these things will come to pass and I am a part of it.

 

I feel like my Portuguese has improved somewhat lol. Elder Johnston and I get help from the some of the members who are native to Brazil and they help us out a lot with that. Even though there are many Cambodians in the area, we haven't learned any Cambodian yet... Our main focus is to help the Hispanics in this area to invite them to come join "our family". That is the focus and the goal.

   
Glad to know everyone is doing well. It sounds like Karen and Dad had a great time in Portland! (doesn't sound like that cool of a place to go visit- milwaukee). Jazz sigue el trabajo. Le quiero mucho!

 

I pray that you all continue to have joy and have opportunities to serve. It's great to know that you are taking care of the missionaries K, I'm sure they appreciate it. Have a great week, Love you all!

 

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

May 27th

Family,

I am just going to write a short email to let you know how my week was and how I'm doing. I wasn't able to write yesterday due to Memorial Day... so I am taking this quick opportunity I have today to do so now.

Starting off with last Friday, Elder Holland was able to speak to all of our mission and share his thoughts on our missionary/personal efforts and ways that we can better reach out to others. The spirit was so powerful during the whole meeting. I also had the opportunity to shake his hand and meet his wife along with Elder Hallstrom of the 70. All of them spoke and it was just incredible! There are many things that Elder Holland spoke to us about... too many to even be written in this email and many that are very personal, which I know helped further strengthen my testimony and was certainly a blessing my life. It was awesome nonetheless and I know that Elder Holland is a man ordained from God to be in the position of the church that he is in. 

On Sunday, our buddy J__ M___ was baptized. I had the opportunity to perform his baptismal ordinance as well. I attached a picture of J____, Elder Johnston and I. It's a blessing to be a part of something that will change that his life forever. I know that his family will

be blessed for the decision that he made as well. 

Yesterday, as you all know, I had the opportunity to go to the Temple. I can't tell you how much of a blessing it is to go to the Temple and to experience that peace and calmness we feel every time we step foot into the Celestial Room. Going to the Temple as often as I do is definitely one of the things I cherish most about my mission. 

As far as the people we work with, there are many families who we have invited to join the group and who are also willing to support us. Our only progressing investigators we have right now is an 18 year old from Peru, Hiro C_____ and his 14 yr old brother O___. Both have already taken the discussions from past missionaries. We will see how everything works out with them along with the group that starts this Sunday, June 1st!

I also had the opportunity to go down to Boston for our P-Day after our trip to the temple. Great times dad!! Can't believe it was 2 years ago... 
I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day and will continue to enjoy this week and work hard.

Thanks for all you love and support. Les quiero mucho!