February 2nd

Family,

Despite the two blizzards we had during the week, we were still able to accomplish a ton! As a Zone, we were able to reach a total of 51 New Investigators for the month of January, which is the all time record for this area of the mission! President Packard was so thrilled about our efforts that he himself and his wife attended our Stake Conference this past weekend and gave us a shout-out about our accomplishments. (Keeping in mind that this time of the year is the worst time to find people to teach along with our Zone being the largest geographical region in the mission). He called this area of the mission, "The New Jerusalem" because of the unity that we have as both missionaries and ward members here in this area of New England. Honestly, we really have been busy with finding new investigators and with having several teaching appointments, just in my area alone. The next step for all of us is to set baptismal dates for those that are ready to make that covenant of baptism. It really is a fantastic to see the blessings that come from the Lord.

One of our investigators that we are working with, J___ C___, was a former investigator that previous missionaries were working with about eight years ago. Assuming he wasn't alive anymore, since his teaching records showed that he was in his 80's at the time, we still decided to knock on his door anyways to see if anyone else lived there. We found out that he was actually still living on his own at 90 years old. We also found out that he was a WWII vet that served in the Marines in Japan. He was one of the ones that raised one of the flags on Iwo Jima when America won the war. J____ also ended up coming to Stake Conference this past weekend, which was awesome too! He is actually one of the coolest investigators I've been able to work with since he has so many stories to tell. Great guy for sure. We are also teaching M___ M____, V___ V_____, M__ A____ and Y___ R____ and her kids as well.    

We are working hard everyday. This week will be filled with leadership meetings and counsels as well. Hopefully the snow will stop for us at some point. But other than that, enjoy that southern climate because I'm sure freezing out here. It won't be too much longer though.

Keep working hard in all that you do. One of these days I will send some pictures....

Les Quiero Mucho!

Go Pats!!!! 2015 Super Bowl Champs, woooo!! :) 

Elder Berthelson

BostonStrong

September 22nd

Family,

I am doing well. This week was all about our Stake Conference and promoting the "game plan" to encourage members and missionaries to work together in the New Haven Stake. I feel like this concept is basically what I've preached my whole mission along with the gospel lol. Also, this past Saturday, Elder Lee and I had to give a training to all the Ward Mission Leaders on how to develop an effective ward mission plan. It was sorta intimidating because President Packard was in attendance for our training, but it turned out really well. We were in a business type setting being with all the big name leaders in the stake, another including Elder Snow, who is a member of the 70. He was the one that spoke at our Stake Conference and we also had the opportunity to have dinner with him before the Adult session of our conference. So this weekend was pretty crazy for us... but it was awesome!  

As far as the work goes, we have our baptism for our investigator, B______, that is all set up for this Saturday. We are pumped for that! 

Thank you for your letters and emails. 

Dad- There is no such thing as overdoing it with the subway gift cards. That is basically all I eat when it comes to eating out, so I appreciate it! Also the with the Chargers, Cards and Pats winning this weekend there are definitely son complaints on the topic of football. Its still too bad that the Red Sox aren't making it this year for the playoffs... But your right though, there is always next season. I'm already stoked for the upcoming 2015 season!! 

Karen- Wisconsin still looks the same:) Glad you were able to take pics of the old place. Great memories for sure!

Jazzy- Keep doing what you do lol. Te quiero hermana!

I apologize for the short email. I am typing all this out at the apple store at Yale University here in downtown New Haven. Its pretty sweet. I've had a great P-Day so far and looking forward to another great week working with one of my best friends on the mission, E. Lee. This guy is a stud. I'm blessed to be his companion:)  Dad you are right, I am called where I'm called for a reason. New England is all about the people for sure! 

Thank you for all your love and support. I love you all!

Pics- Recent Convert Temple Trip from a few weeks ago. 

Few Pics from today's P-Day! We were able to hit the range earlier this morning (first time swinging the clubs since back home:) And Elder Watson, who is an RM, took us out to lunch with his family before heading to NY for the MNF game tonight. 

September 15th

Family,

Thank you for all your support! I am doing great! I can honestly say that I am at one of those "higher" points of my mission right now:) A lot of it has to do with the companion that I have and the work that is going forth for us in our area. Everything is almost "clicking" and we are receiving many blessings. Because of this, its giving me the motivation to be excited about all aspects of the work that I'm doing. Physically, Spiritually and Mentally I am being blessed.

So like I said, I received my new companion last Wednesday, Elder Lee. This guy is a stud. Reminds me a lot like Chase Richardson lol. Just a hard worker, an athlete (played ball in h.s.) and someone that I just relate really well with. And yes, both from AZ too! I can already tell Lee and I will be great friends here on the mission and later on. I am blessed to be working well with him and to know that the Lord has put us together for a reason.   

The work is starting to pick up a little bit more. We are making preparations for our baptism for our Investigator, B______, for the 27th of Sept. We are excited for him along with our other investigators, who are progressing little by little towards their baptism. Our goal is to schedule a set baptism date for M_____ and M_____ during this upcoming week.

An event that we have coming up is that we have our Stake Conference for us this weekend, so we are also preparing for that as well. This will be a big event for us knowing that our Stake Presidency, Mission Presidency, Temple President and a member of the 70 will all be speaking to us with the topic of Hastening the Work. We know that this will be a blessing for the members of our stake to help be a part of the work and to motivate others to share the gospel.      

Dad- Chargers look good man lol. Although the Sox weren't so good this year, its always nice to fall back on the football season. I miss the season, great time of year for sure! And whats up with K in the golf cart??? First the gym now the course... C'mon man:) You guys are funny! Looking forward to your letter too. And no I'm not THAT guy, at least not yet... haha.

Karen- I got your CD's in the mail a week or so ago. Thanks for that, along with the help with my debit card. I don't know how I'm doing with my balance so if you could email me my info from the U.S. bank account every week that would be great! Also, glad to hear that you were able to help the Christensen family. I'm sure they were very grateful for you guys helping them out. 

Jazzy- I don't normally get your emails till later in the day (my time). I will have to write you back with a separate email. Sigue adelante con todo! Te quiro hermana:)

Thank you for all your love and support guys. Like I said, I am happy and definitely blessed:)

Les Quiero Mucho! 

 

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

September 8th

Family,

 

Like always, I am doing great! Not only did my previous companion receive a change from transfers but my current companion now, Elder Ripplinger, also received transfers. He will be serving in Franklin, Mass. which means I will have a new companion! His name is Elder Lee. I hear he is a great guy, from Gilbert, AZ. I know that we will get along great, we've already made good connections with one another. I am way excited to be working with him! The only thing is that he has never been a ZL before, which basically means I have to train him on everything that I've learned. Plus, there are many other changes that have occurred within our Zone as well. I've only been in this position for a little over a month, so it'll be fun to see how everything will go. Like I said, I'm excited for the change! I enjoy having different experiences, especially the ones where I know that I will have to be challenged a little bit. Its all good too because I also know that this experience will allow me to rely more heavily upon the Lord to seek for further guidance of what He wants me to do.

 

It has just been a crazy week with Leadership Trainings, Zone Meetings, Transfers, etc, which meant our work has been a little slower than normal. Unfortunately, our Investigators aren't progressing as well as they should be either. We had to move a couple of their baptism dates back for our investigators B___ and M_____. One because of Stake Conference that is coming up for us in the next couple weeks and another because of different circumstances. We are doing our best working a lot with our Recent Converts though. Like I said from my email from last week, we are giving these individuals the opportunity to feel the spirit very strong in their lives, such by attending a sacred place like the Temple. And because of the spirit they felt, I know it will give them opportunities to share those great feelings with their non member friends as well. I am blessed for the work that is we have in our area and the opportunities that are given to us. I am also blessed for awesome ward members, such as the D_____. They are my favorite family in the ward because of the connections we've made. Bro. D_____t and I talk sports and their family is always willing to help us with the work. They have been giving us referrals which is always a blessing too.

 

I received both the Labor Day letter and the package in the mail the other day. Thank you guys!!! Tell Cambria and Hunter I said thanks for their letter! Can't wait to spend some time with them back in AZ! They are awesome:)

 

I know that the Lord has plans for the Christensen family. My heart goes out to them, please send them my regards and let them know that they are in my prayers.

 

Keep working hard! You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Les Quiero Mucho!!!

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

June 9th

Family,

Thank you for all your letters! It sounds like everyone is doing great.

This week was yet another exciting week for us! This past Wednesday we extended another baptism date for one of our new investigators, N____ L_____. He is originally from Portugal but has lived in the states for some time now. So we were able to teach the Restoration to him, parts in Portugese and other parts in English, which was very cool. His girlfriend was also recently baptized in the ocean off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal just 3 weeks ago. We pray and hope that work won't get in the way of church for both N____ and F_____ (his girlfriend). 

We also had our stake conference this past weekend. It was such a neat experience because we had both 2 members of the 70 come to speak to us, Elder Lansing and Elder Nielsen. They were present during this stake conference because there were recent changes and callings for our stake presidency here in the Nashua stake. Both Elder Lansing and Elder Nielsen gave amazing talks, all directed towards missionary work. During Elder Nielsen's talk, he showed a video with all the missionaries who sang "called to serve" during the world-wide broadcast that was presented from last year's theme "Hastening the Work of Salvation." The very same broadcast that I sang in when I was in the MTC choir! I don't know if you guys had the opportunity to ever watch that broadcast, but it hit me during that presentation just how significant it was and still am that I am part of the "Work of Salvation" at this very time. Elder Perry gave a quote during the broadcast that explains just how important this time is, he says “This is the most remarkable era in the history of the Church. This is something that ranks with the great events that have happened in the past history, like the First Vision, like the gift of the Book of Mormon, like the Restoration of the gospel, like all of the things that build that foundation for us to go forward and teach in our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom.” Jazz and I are missionaries serving during this Historic event that has and will continue to take place. I know that it is not a coincidence that we were called to labor during this specific time and how blessed we are to be a part of it. 

A crazy thing happened this week- The story that I told you all last week about A___, the same restaurant that I gave a blessing over, flooded this past week... he's still interest in the gospel, but it's pretty sad because he told us now he wouldn't have enough time to listen to the discussions since he only works one job and things are pretty crazy for him right now. It's good that he is still positive about everything because he said that his insurance would take care of it. He plans to return to that job back in the restaurant in a few weeks once everything is fixed. We hope that the English Elders will work well with him once he gets everything fixed with that restaurant.

Another one of our investigators, C____ M_____ is progressing and will hopefully receive a baptismal date soon. Other than that, not too much has been happening this week. We visit a lot of members and try as much as possible to get in contact and invite our inactive members.     

Dad- I'm excited to get your letter, I hope you know that I really appreciate when you send those to me! What's going on with the Red Sox man?! I hear the Yankees aren't doing so hot either lol. Its all good, there's still plenty of season left for the Sox. 

Karen- I hear you on the part about Utah. First thing I think of is Lake Powell though!!! Great times, can't wait to go back! How many Temples can you cover in one trip?! That is so cool. What a special blessing it is to visit all those sacred places, 7 Temples in 3 hours... only in Utah I guess haha. I did get the scriptures for Aaron the other day, I will have them mailed to him later on this afternoon. 

Jazz- Que esta pasando con la clima por aya??... Esta chile en chile, eso no tiene sentido jaja:) Sigue trabajando cada dia. Miras a los pequenos milagros cada dia. Eso me ayudo especialmente cuando la clima fue muy duro y frio para mi aqui en new england.     

Yesterday we also had the opportunity to attend a baptism to an investigator we taught back in Nashua, I____ R_____. I attached a photo of him and I. How great it is to see the success from our labors! 

Thanks for all your love and support. I pray for you guys daily.

Les quiero mucho!

    

Elder Berthelson

BostonStrong