August 4th

Family,

So this week was basically a week of saying my good-bye's to a few of the families that I had a strong connection with over in Lowell, MA. The G______family especially. I told you guys a little bit about R___ G_____- our Group Leader for the Spanish Group. Him and his family were by far my favorite people in that area. I will definitely take the time to meet with them again; if not on the mission, afterwards for sure! (I only have printed pictures of the families that I visited this past week...)

On Wednesday we were able to receive transfers. My new companion, Elder R______, is pretty cool. He is from Rexburg, Idaho and played basketball and ran track in high school. He also attended a semester of college over at BYU-I. He is a hard, dedicated worker just like myself. I'm definitely going to enjoy working with him, we are already having success being with each other just a few days into the transfer! We have 3 upcoming baptisms for this month alone!

The transition from my last area to serving in a whole new area speaking only English is one of the things that is a challenge for me though... It feels like a whole different mission for me because everything is different- the routine, language, people we work with, exhausting late nights etc. But I love it nonetheless! I also love my Zone! All of us are focused on the goal of finding new investigators since most of our areas were one of the highest baptizing zones in the mission, so we needed to have a "fresh start" for this part of the month. We are all way excited and looking forward to this new goal that we have. It is going to be our responsibility to teach and train these missionaries this week and for us to figure out ways to motivate them in order for them to find more people to teach. 

I had the opportunity to bear my testimony yesterday to my new ward family here in Woodbridge, CT as I expressed my excitement about doing the Lord's work. I was also able to share the blessings that I received from doing so. I know that I am able to receive specific guidance from the Holy Spirit as I am focused by acting on the small things as reading my scriptures and praying with a sincerity of heart to my Heavenly Father. I am also strengthened spiritually as I act on these promptings, which gives me more opportunities to share my testimony with others and to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost more often. 

Thank you for all your letters, it sounds like everyone is doing great!

I love you all!

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 23rd

Family,

Everything is going great for us here in Lowell, MA! We had another 25 total show up for the group so we are pretty pumped about that! 

As far as Larry Bunch goes, I just gotta say that he's a great guy, he drove all the way from his home ward in Littleton (30 min) just to visit me. He said he found out where I was serving by looking up some of the people in the surrounding wards in our stake to talk to them about ways to improve home teaching in the stake (the passion this guy has for his home teaching, I'm sure you guys probably know lol). But anyways, he said he stumbled upon the Missionaries and that's how he figured out where I was at- .... He plans to come back to visit next month in July with Carla when they'll come out for the Joseph Smith pageant they hold up in Manchester, NH. It will be a party for sure.

Something cool that happened this week- We were riding our bikes in Downtown Lowell trying to visit a less-active member. We were a little lost trying to figure out one of the street names, so we pulled over and asked a guy for directions. Right away he knew who we were, as far as missionaries, and so we started talking from there about the LDS church, what we do, and all that. He- R____ said that he was a Christian Pastor and was excited to meet "a couple mormons" who worked hard and were also of Christian faith. I later asked if there was any way we could reach out to more people, especially the Hispanics, in the area of Lowell that would be interested to learn more about our beliefs. He told us that he works for a local radio station and was interested to have Elder Johnston and I come to his studio be a part of one of his talk show where we would explain who we are and answer some questions. In my mind, I was super thrilled because I've never been on the radio before and it would give us an opportunity to make ourselves known in the area! But I also realized how dangerous it could be too, knowing that there would also be those people who would try to bible bash or stump us with questions. So we are going to get permission this week to see if we can do all this. But given the opportunity, we will be on the radio this Sunday afternoon on the 29th! I'm pretty excited to know that we have opportunities like this to let people know who we are and who we represent!     

Not too much else exciting happened besides that. We have just been working hard with figuring out who our "lost sheep" (less-actives) are, either by visiting or trying to contact them. As for me, I am doing well. I am studying a lot in the beginning chapters of 2 Nefi. I am blessed to know that my testimony and faith is strengthened the more I testify to others about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dad- I am excited to receive your letters. And I'm glad you got that package- You know it man, BostonStrong!

Jazz- Chile es, como se dice, el "underdog" en la Copa. Que chevre! Estoy seguro que hay muchas personas locas en tu area durante este tiempo. De todos modos es un buen tiempo a hablar con todas las personas y la copa te dara muchas oportunidades a tener discusiones. Vaya Chile!!      

Thanks for all your love and support back home. Keep up all the hard work. Les quiero mucho! 

Elder Berthelson

BostonStrong

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.