Sept. 9,
2013
So today I
didn’t get the chance to do a big email.
We got to the library later in the day, then we got kicked off. I can’t tell you how frustrating it can get
emailing at that little library!! But,
hey, at least we get the chance to email!
I can’t imagine having to write a long letter like this (well, we’ll see
how long it will actually be) every single week. But, I guess that it will be a good
change. Hopefully this will only have to
happen this once though! Really. But, even though it was kinda depressing not
being able to email. I’ve had a super
great day!! We are in a great branch,
and one of the members took us sightseeing :)
She picked up Kaila and Autumn and then us, and we headed out to Acadia
National Park. It is so pretty there!! We went to Sand Beach and stayed for a
couple hours. It was really beautiful to
see the rocky cliffs with pine trees right next to the Atlantic Ocean. I loved it so much!!There were two other
sisters who met us at the beach and we all had lunch. I’m so glad that we got the chance to go! :)
So how have
you all been? Amy and Erin wrote me and
it sounds like they are doing well in college!
I still can’t imagine how quiet it must be at home. I love getting your letters. I’m glad you all sound happy :)
Hmm – Well,
what should I start out with? The week
started out with me going to Waterville to stay with Sister Jensen!! Boy it is so crazy that I’ve gone on three
exchanges with her already!! I love it
so much :)
We have a whole lot of fun together, and this past exchange was one I’ll
never forget! We had an appointment with
this guy and we met him at a public park for the lesson. More than halfway through, the sky started
getting a bit darker, but we didn’t really think much of it. Then a bit later there was a huge flash of lightening
and the loudest clap of thunder I’ve ever heard followed. Then all of a sudden there was a huge downpour!! We were soaking wet within 2 minutes and we
were standing under a tree. It was
crazy!! We had parked our car about a
block away, so we had to run for it.
I’ve never seen rain come down that hard in my entire life! Definitely not Utah rain. We were totally drenched when we got into the
car, and we just laughed the whole way home.
The gutters in the street turned into small rivers, and it was just way
too much fun!! :) I’m so glad we got to
experience that together! Such a great
exchange!! :)
Then,
Wednesday we got to be in charge of the YW’s activity :)
We have some stand up girls here in Ellsworth, and I just love them so
much. We had a great time doing a
missionary themed activity, and it turned our great! We each talked about how we decided to go on
a mission and bore our testimonies, and answered questions they had for
us. Then we played some games then ended
with them writing their testimony in a copy of the Book of Mormon and
challenged them to prayerfully find someone to give it to. They were very involved, which was great, and
it was really a testament to me of the strength of youth. These girls here are so strong and they love
the gospel so much. The work here will
really start with them and hopefully they will be an example to the other
branch members about member missionary work!
I just love working with the young women!!
Alright,
another story! We went to a members
house, the Keatings’, for a meal, and it was so much fun :)
They went with us to a lesson with James (who has left for 2 months to
work on a ship, but called us and let us know like yesterday that he is reading
the BoM regularly and has been keeping the word or wisdom!! Hooray! :) )
While they were leaving, James gave them some moose meat because he is a
big hunter. The Keatings then invited us over to try some
so we did. I actually have eaten a
moose! It was pretty weird to think
about, but it didn’t taste too different.
I can’t say that it was the greatest thing I have ever tried
though. Then we went outside and they got
their campfire going and we had smores.
It was fantastic :) I love being able to
be around members in their homes. There
is such a great spirit there :)
Update on
Kaila: She was sick for two weeks, so we
didn’t really have much contact with her.
But when we did she seemed dis-heartened and we didn’t really know what
to do. So, last week we really prayed
and made a good lesson plan before we got there, and it was amazing! We talked about the Spirit and it was exactly
what she needed to hear. It’s hard being
sick, and she hadn’t read her scriptures for a bit and she was feeling
gloomy. However, she told us how the day
before we came she had this really cool dream about her reading the scriptures
and praying every day and getting better,
then her reading the scriptures to other people. She told us how the Book of Mormon really
does make a huge difference in her day-to-day life. We talked about the different ways the Spirit
works with us too. She has always
described the Spirit as being a feeling of butterflies in her stomach. Which it
is. But there are so many other ways the
Spirit can influence us! In Preach My
Gospel, it lists many ways we can recognize the Spirit, and there is a quote
that talks about how any thoughts that comes to mind that inspires us to do
something good is from the Spirit. Recognizing
the Spirit is hard to do all the time. I
always feel like I’m second guessing myself, and Kaila said that she has been
doing that too. But, the Spirit works
behind the scenes. It’s not loud and
certainly not always easy to recognize, but it is good to know that if I am
living a righteous life, the Spirit will always be with me. I know that the Holy Ghost has played such a
large role in my life as I’ve been serving a mission. If I don’t have the Spirit, I can’t
teach. I’ve felt the influence of the Spirit
more here and now than I have my whole life.
I’m not perfect at recognizing and acting on promptings, but I’m getting
better, and doing the best that I can, and that is all that I can do. And that is good enough! I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity
to have the Holy Ghost as my constant companion. It is such a wonderful gift! Through the Spirit I have been able to feel
more love for another than I've ever felt.
I’ve been able to teach, and I’ve felt the witness that this Church is
true!! It is great to see Kaila
recognize the difference that the Holy Ghost has made in her life too. I just love her so much! And she is doing so well! Last Sunday her husband Joe came to church
the whole three hours! It was so
great!! It was amazing seeing the whole
family there :)
Alright, so
last but not least I have some news regarding transfer calls. I was nervous about them because I really
didn’t want things to change, but I kinda knew they would. Boy, there certainly will be! Around nine at night we got a call telling us
that… Sister Wallentine and I will stay
here, but we will be adding another sister to our companionship! Wow.
It was so unexpected! A
trio!! I never would have guessed. I
still don’t even know what to think!
Sister Wallentine and I get along really, really well, but it will be
weird with another sister who we don’t know at all. I’m way excited though! The change will definitely be good, and will
give me more experience. And help me
grow! But yup. Not expected.
We’ll have to have everything ready for her here by tomorrow when we go
to pick her up. It’s weird not knowing
who she is, but I know that it will all work out well if we focus on the reason
we are all out here :)
It’s been a
crazy, crazy week, but it has been amazing!
I’m so grateful that I get to spend another 6 weeks in this beautiful
area with Sister Wallentine (it’s her last transfer :( )! I’ll let you know how the trio is when I write
you next week! I’ll hope and pray that
things will go well with this emailing situation!
Love you so
much and have a great week! Never stop
striving to recognize the Spirit, and always act on promptings you receive! :)
Love,
Sister
Bergeson
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