June 16th

Family,

 

This week has been really good. It's pretty safe to say that I am at that point of the mission where it is a little bit of a challenge for me to think back at what I did this past week since it all felt like a blur. It feels like the last time a wrote to you guys was just the other day... that's how fast it is going by.

 

Something great that happened this week- 

On Friday, we received a call from my mission president, President Packard, and he informed us about the significance these next 4-5 weeks are for this Spanish Group we have started in Lowell. He told us these weeks will either determine whether or not this Group will so-call "survive" depending on how many people we would have attending it... Later in the conversation, President finally told us a goal that he had in mind for us this week that he felt was right. He told us that it should be our goal to have a total of 25 total people in attendance for this weeks sacrament meeting. The first week we had 42 people, but knowing that more than half those people were only there for support for the first meeting and nothing more, I was a little skeptical about the number. Adding to that, we also had visited, attempted to contact, and tracted all of our less-active members that were on our ward list. We did not have very much success with that whatsoever during this past week.

I prayed a lot over the weekend that we would be able to reach our goal knowing how hard we worked during this past week. So yesterday, as we showed up to the meeting 5 minutes beforehand, there were only 6 people in the room... I was bummed and honestly felt a little humiliated for how many people actually showed up. But at 9:00, right before the meeting started, everyone just showed up almost at one time, it was amazing! And not only that, but we ended up having 25 exactly! I also had the blessing of giving a talk yesterday on how Heavenly Father shows his unconditional love for everyone of his children. I ended up tying in that topic with Fathers and related back on how Dad has shown his love to me by teaching me important principals that would bless me throughout my life.

 

Thanks Dad, Happy Fathers Day!         

  

I did not receive transfers, which means I will be with Elder Johnston for another 6 weeks. I kind of feel like Jazzy and her first companion; this will be my 4th transfer with him...  I believe we work hard and make a good team nonetheless.

 

I did get the letter from dad as well. Thanks for the Dunkin Donuts gift card, that will come in good use for sure! 

 

It sounds like everyone is doing great! And yes, we will definitely be playing the Troon when I get back. I'm looking forward to that.            

Keep working hard guys. I pray for you all everyday. Les quiero mucho!

 

February 24th

Family,

Thank you for your emails. Today I am writing a little earlier because I just got done playing early morning basketball for my P-Day with some of the members from the Marrimack Ward (another english ward) and a couple other missionaries. I think we're planning on doing this every P-Day, which should be fun - also means I'll be sending my emails out early to you guys. But anyways, this week has been good. We have a baptismal date set for an eight year old kid, GZ, whose mom is a less active but is now coming to church with the rest her family. Although he's still at a young age, he is technically considered one of our investigators and he's also progressing so much! We have the baptismal date set for March 16 for him so we are very excited for him and his family! We are also working with another one of our investigators, PJ, who we are planning this week to set a firm baptismal date with her for as early this upcoming month in March. So as far as our investigator work goes, we are doing great! We have also worked really hard with our less actives, members, and basically all the hispanics here in the area to let them know about the group that will be taking place by this upcoming Sunday March, 2. So overall we are very excited for what's to come here in the next few weeks! 

One of the things that I have been studying a lot recently is the words of King Benjamin in the early chapters of Mosiah (1-6). I have read his words over and over and everytime I read it I am fascinated by his boldness, especially how he phrases this scripture in Mosiah chapt. 4:9,11-12

 9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all

wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend

 .

11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a

remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

 12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

Even as strong members of the church, we need to always remember to humble ourselves and call on the Lord daily. And as we do so, it is promised that we will be filled with the love of God and be happy. I know these words to be true as I am doing everything I can to improve my relationship with Him through my own personal prayers.

Keep working hard guys. I know that the Lord will continue to bless our family and friends. 

Les quiero mucho!     

   

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

December 9th

A little experience I had last Tuesday, Elder Gonzalez and I were out on our bikes in downtown Providence making some visits with the previous investigators we found in our area book. While we were riding on a downhill slope next to the Prov capital building, a lady pulled out of a parking lot at a pretty fast speed and I'm assuming she never saw me. Smack! She ended up running over my bike while I ended up flying on top of her car. I thought it looked pretty ridiculous until I realized the damage it did to my bike... She offered to fill out paperwork for the damage (I just ended up switching for a better bike). Anyways, I was just grateful it was the bike that got damaged and not me. A miracle that I walked away from that uninjured or unharmed. 

Later that night I was able to have Lobstah for the first time on my mission here in New England. Finally! Jose Fernandez (one of the people I'm definitely going to re-visit after my mission!) made us lobster and crab for dinner. It was soooo good! By far my favorite meals. Dad- It was one of those things that made me think of our dog trips and eating Tia's over in Boston. 

F____ was able to be confirmed a member yesterday, which was awesome. There wasn't too much that happened this week as far as the work is concerned, but this time of year is great for us because all our teachings and lessons are being focused on the Lord and His birth. It's exciting to share this wonderful message because I know it brings great peace and joy to all who are willing to listen and put their faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 .....

 

Karen- It sounds like you had a busy week this week. .....That is amazing how many temples you visited! Its cool to see all the places that you normally go to for work and then see all the temples that are pretty much in that same area. I'm sure its been a great blessing for you to attend all the time that you have. Keep it up K!

 

......

 

It's also great to see some of the missionaries plan to either get ready or plan on leaving for their missions, ex. Kennedy Coley, Gabby, Devin H. Missionary work is continuing to grow which is awesome.

 

I ask if you guys could please pray in behalf of one of our ward family members. F_____, and his wife L______. This family is suffering a lot. L____ suffered from a mild stroke she had last week, while F____ is also temporarly blind due to diabetes. They have a little daughter as well, so this time of the year is very tough for this family. Please keep them in your prayers.

 

Keep doing what you guys do. Work hard. Love you guys.