June 15th

Family,

Thank you for all your letters and support. 

Dad, I received your letter in the mail this past week and I'll be sure to look for the last remaining ones in the mail at some point either this week or next. And Karen, thank you for the offer on the new phone! I kind of feel spoiled lol but at the same time I am truly grateful and blessed:) Again, thank you guys.

I can't believe the time has come to this. I only have 2 weeks remaining... But because the Lord has blessed me to endure to the end, I will have the privilege to be a part of another baptism held in our ward this upcoming Saturday. This is for an ex-communicated member, ______, who has been faithful and worthy to re-enter into the waters of baptism. This is someone who the missionaries have been working with for a long time. And now he has finally been approved by Salt Lake City to become a member again. We are all excited for him! 

Everyone will find out their new companions this Friday, and then next week on Saturday (June 27th) is when we will hold our transfer meeting. It will be the farewell for President Packard, his family, and 30 other missionaries that are going home as well. I am grateful to have been companions with Elder Villar. He has strengthened my testimony and has helped me grow, even only during the 2 months that I've been with him. To be honest, I believe he has taught me more than I have been able to teach him. He has been one of my favorite companions by far! I know why the Lord has put us together during this time.   

As I explained in my last email, this will most likely be my final email that I will write to you all on my mission. Elder Villar, A___ D______, and I are planning to make the trip to Boston next week for my final P-Day. No better way to end the mission than being in the city I love, while being with Villar and my other best friend A____, who I had the opportunity to literally see change his life by accepting the gospel! It's a storybook ending for a roller coaster ride of a mission that I experienced. No doubt, we'll have a great time:) 

I will end it all with my testimony that I know that our Savior lives and loves us. I've come to a knowledge of these truths by the Holy Spirit. It is real. This gospel is real. People do change by accepting Jesus Christ in their lives, I am a witness to that. I am a witness to the power of the Atonement. I have been able to exercise it myself and experience the divinity and power of the atonement on my mission. At a certain point of my mission, I have felt the lowest I've ever felt in my life. Only coming to realize later on that it was only to experience true joy, in a sense. That is what this gospel is all about. The Lord humbled me to know this. It's not about me, it's not about the personal gain, or popularity, or any of that. No, it's about the Lord and being a  blessing for his children. This is my purpose as a Saint and a servant of the Lord. It is my humble testimony that I know this church is true. And how blessed I am to have been raised into this church by an amazing family to help me get to this point in my life! 

I accomplished His work as a Full-Time Representative of Jesus Christ here in New England by the hand of the Lord. And for this, I couldn't be any happier.

Pat, I will hopefully be seeing you and your family soon! Jazzy, I can't wait to give you a big hug as well:)

This is it. See you all in 2 weeks! Les Quiero mucho! 

​Go Sox! 

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

May 11th

Family,

This letter is not going to be too long this week since I had the chance to speak to everyone yesterday. It was awesome to hear and see everyone over Skype! I'm grateful that I got to receive some last advice from you guys, especially at this point on the mission when it will all come down to these final moments. I know that the time is going to go by fast but at the same time I understand that I need to buckle down these remaining 7 weeks and give my heart to serving the Lord, including the people who he has put in my path. I know that this is his work and his will. I am blessed to be a representative of Jesus Christ and to cherish these moments in my life. I only have one chance to do this, giving all to him.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Les quiero mucho! 

Final Transfers, April 6th

Family,

I received my final transfers earlier this week. The Lord has called me to serve in Franklin, MA Spanish-Speaking for my final months on the mission!! It is 45 min South of Boston, right next to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, and 30 min North of my first area in Providence. It is perfect. I will also be a District Leader and Training my new companion who is a native speaker from... CHILE!! I am so excited!!! This is the way the Lord wanted me to end the mission:) Although I did not have a chance to actually serve in the city of Boston, this opportunity is much better. I'm blessed to train a new missionary, which will allow me to apply all the things I've been able to learn as a missionary throughout the past two years. The geographic area doesn't matter either, it's all about the people I will be able to bless. This is definitely the way to end it!

I hope you all took the time to reflect upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during this past Easter weekend while also watching General Conference:) I love General Conference and it helped strengthened my testimony on what I can do to improve in my own personal life to draw me closer to my Savior. He lives and he loves us. I also can't believe the time that has gone by knowing that this was the final time I would be able to watch conference as a full time missionary. The time is going by each day...

I believe that the Packards are hosting a video chat with all the parents next Sunday on April 12th, which sounds pretty exciting. I will also let you know more details next week about my new area and how everything goes with my new companion from Chile. Again, I am way excited for what's about to take place!

Thank you for all your love and support. Les Quiero Mucho!   

PS. I did not go to New York City, we went into the New York within the mission boundries:)

Elder Berthelson

BostonStrong

 

 

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! 

November 10th

Family,

 

This week was a good week. I have definitely been uplifted spiritually after meeting with President Packard last Wednesday, along with other events that occurred throughout the week. I'm also very blessed to know that a lot of my concerns and questions that I have prayed about are being answered, in various ways. And dad, yes the weeks are flying by. Sometimes it's almost going by too fast... I just have to enjoy the moments, both good and not so good. Like yesterday, it was really disappointing to see that none of our investigators were able to attend church. Even after having a solid lesson the day before with our investigator, A___ B____, we were able to testify so strong about the Restoration and later we ended up extending a baptismal invitation for her for the end of November. She accepted but obviously still felt hesitant about it. The only way to know how committed people are to accept the gospel in their lives is if they are willing to keep those commitments and have the faith to act on it. Again, pretty disappointing as far as the work is concerned... Elder Lee and I are going to continue to have strong hopes and pray for those that have baptismal dates for this month. (A___ and S___). And of course, I gotta remember to enjoy it!   

 

I'm glad that you guys were able to enjoy the time with everyone in Palm Springs over the weekend! Everyone looks great:) It looks like dad has been hitting the weights at the gym- keep it up man! I'm sure Trevor is also tearing it up for his team in Pasadena. That's awesome.

Dad- I'm looking forward to your letter like always! Thanks for sending those. I honestly believe that the concept of sports can be applied to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Every time I speak with a youth that is interested in sports, I always relate back and compare the concepts of either football, basketball, etc. (whatever their interests) to the gospel. So when you sent me the letter, "blocking and tackling" analogy, it was clear to me because of the experiences that I've gone through growing up playing football. So again, thank you for that.     

 

Karen- It seems like so many people are getting married. Crazy! Speaking of the married crew, how are guys like Rex Bale, Bubba or Derek Gunter doing? I have not been able to contact them at all throughout my mission. I need to write them a letter or something. If you could email me an address or email that would be awesome:)

 

Jazz- Hope you had a great birthday!! I'm sure you were able to disfrutar pastel y hacer muchas cosas locas para tu cumpleanos. jaja. Espero que tuvieras una buena semana y continuar a trabajar duro!

 

I'm blessed that you all are happy and well! That is what I am thankful for, as Thanksgiving is already approaching in the next week and a half. Let Jazz and I know about your guys' plans for that. Are you all still planning to spend time with the Dodd's during Thanksgiving?

 

Have a great week. Les Quiero Mucho!     

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

May 12th

Family,

I'm so blessed knowing that you guys are doing well!! You guys look great and are HAPPY! That I believe is the most important thing. I too am doing great. Although I may have seemed a little frustrated at the begging of our call, I just had a lot of things going on in my mind... A lot of which included good-byes to be said to the people here in Nashua and the change I'm going to have in Lowell. I'm not going to lie, it's a little stressful, but I believe it is for the best and I truly am excited for what is going to take place with the new change I'm going to have working with different people and serving in a new area. All and all, I am blessed to have been able to talk with you guys and to see Jazzy and her companion was pretty cool as well! 

I know that we just spoke yesterday but I just wanted to quickly share my thoughts from the skype call we had and some of the things that I'm grateful for. First, I just like to thank you Jazzy for giving me the opportunity to at least talk with you for the time that I did. Even though we really didn't speak for too long, I was grateful to at least see you and know that everything is going well down in Chile. It does sound like the work is a little difficult down there as well, but your always in my prayers Jazzy. Keep working hard and trust in the Lord for everything. Love you Jazz!

K, thanks for making me smile:) You really do make me laugh and I'm grateful for that. .........

. I know how much you want to help, I really appreciate it! Thanks again k. 

Dad- You are the guy. Thanks for all your support and advice. I look up to you not only as my dad, but as my hero. Man I can't thank you enough for how much you've been able to teach me, and I mean EVERYTHING. It is all being applied to what I'm experiencing right now. This is my test. Just like camelback, I just got to take it one foot at a time, little by little. I know what I need to do. Thank you for helping me realize what I need to do and to put it all into perspective for me. Just like I told you yesterday, I've never relied upon the Lord as much as I have had to here on the mission. This is all part of the experience though. Keep running towards the blast! (There goes a Fightah;)      

I'll just end this message with my simple testimony that I know that Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior. I know that there are many people that are lost and don't know where to find the truth of His gospel. We have the truth.  We have been blessed as a family, so we should do everything we can to give back. Continue to serve our family, friends, brothers, sisters. Bear witness of Him. The Lord has many things in store for all of us:)

I love you all.     

March 31st

Family,

Thanks for your letters. .....

As far as anything new that happened since the last time I wrote you guys, not much has been going on. The weather is still awful, in fact it even snowed a little bit earlier today. I just can't wait for the warm weather to come. 

Elder Johnston and I are doing well and working hard. We ended up going to that Catholic mass yesterday like we promised our less active friend. In fact, it wasn't even Catholic mass, it ended up being some kind of group that didn't believe in organized religion. All they believe was that all you needed to do was read the Bible and believe in Jesus Christ and you were saved. It was very weird nonetheless. And our less active friend never even came to our sacrament meeting after he got done with his "church," so it really wasn't worth going to I guess. Other than that, nothing too much has happened this week. Our investigators are slowly progressing. The only thing holding these people back, both our less actives and investigators, is their commitment or desire to attend church. This has been one of the biggest struggles with a lot of the Hispanic people, that at least I've dealt with on the mission. They promise you they'll go and then they either end up having to work or they make up an excuse to not go. It's kind of frustrating, but it is what it is.    

I just want to bear my testimony on General Conference and the importance of this time of the year to hear the words of our Prophet, President Monson, and his counselors. I am so blessed to be able to receive further instruction and guidance on what I need to do, not only for me as a missionary, but as a person in general. I know that our Prophet receives direct revelation from the Lord. He addresses concerns and needs of what we need to do as members of the church to strengthen our testimonies, which will bless our lives so that we may be able to overall become better and happier. I've never in my life been more excited to watch General Conference. This is something that's more of a need rather than a want at this point in my life.

 

 

I also received your packages in the mail this week. Thank you guys so much!! 

......

Can't believe I'm saying it too, but Lets go Wisconsin!!  Keep working hard guys. Love ya all.       

   

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong