Oct. 28, 2013 Bucksport, Maine

Hey hey!                                  Oct. 28, 2013

I got your package and letters today!!  Thank you so much :)  We have quite the stash of sweets in our apartment!!  Happy Halloween!! To answer your question mom, I will be staying in Ellsworth this transfer, I really have no idea why I said week in my last email.  I am so happy that grandpa is home!!  It has made my week for sure :) 

So, this has been quite the crazy week!  First of all, I said goodbye to Sister Wallentine and Sister Fratcher on Tuesday at five in the morning.  It was so weird because I have been within sight and sound of Sister Wallentine for the past four months.  It was sad, but I'm just so grateful for everything that I learned the past couple transfers!  I spent Tuesday in another sister's area while we both waited for our new companions, and boy it was pretty nerve-wracking.  There was so much going on in my head and I was so tired!  But right when I met Sister Bickel I felt peace :)  She is from Holliday,(sp?) Utah, has been out for 9 months, and has the prettiest singing voice ever!  At first we went through the get to know you stuff, and after, I felt like I could be totally myself around her :)  I'm so glad!  I can tell I'm going to learn a whole bunch this transfer, too.  She has anxiety disorder which includes depression.  She was really open about it right at first which was good, and I want to help her the best that I possibly can.  She didn't know she had it until she came out on a mission, and she has had some really hard times out here, but she is really strong.  I know that it will teach me a lot a lot of patience, which is great and I've had to step into the leadership role because I'm teaching her the ropes of the area.  It has been really good so far, and I have been really calm.  I was super nervous at first, but I know that I have been strengthened by my Savior to be able to handle some of the added responsibility that I have now.  It has definitely taught me how to adapt to change as well.  It isn't easy, but I know that it will help me become who God wants me to be. It has just been good :)

So this week we taught James, and he is still doing great!  We also got a new investigator :)  He referred himself to us online via Mormon.org.  We sure do get a few of those it seems, and they are GREAT! :)  I love getting media referrals!  His name is Vijay (pronounced vee-jay) and he is a student at the Maine Maritime Academy from North Carolina.  His ex-girlfriend is a less-active member and she broke up with him because she told him he needed better morals.  I'm not exactly sure how it all went down, but he said that he wants to read the Book of Mormon and go to church to see more about what our church is like.  So two days after our lesson, he came to church, which was fantastic!  It seemed like he liked it, he asked questions in gospel principles and there were a lot of people in the branch that welcomed him and introduced themselves to him.  I'm so grateful that we have such a warm and inviting branch! They are great :)  So, ya, we really hope that Vijay progresses!! It is nice to be able to have more people in our teaching pool for sure! :) 

So one funny thing that happened: we ran out of propane.  So we had two days where our heater, water heater, dryer, and stove didn't work.  It was the Monday before transfers and transfers, which was pretty bad timing, but everything is working now.  I'll look back and smile about that for sure, good memories :)  We survived!!  We also cheated and took showers at a member's house.  Cold showers are just no fun!  Hmm...what else?  We had our branch Halloween party which was a total blast!! We also went and volunteered at this really cool place that was literally giving away free clothes!  It was awesome, and it was all donation run :)  I got a new skirt and sweater!  We were also in charge of the combined Young Men and Young Women activity this week which was fun!  More missionary work themed things :)  I just love this branch so much!!  The members are awesome :)

One thing that I've been thinking about this week is how important attitude is.  I have complete control over my agency and I can choose how I react in each situation.  Although I was sad that Sister Wallentine and Sister Fratcher were leaving, I decided that I was going to react positively to whatever change was ahead, and choose to love my companion.  It has helped a lot :) 

Have a fantastic week family!  I love you!!

Be where your feet are :)

Sister Bergeson :)

Pictures Oct. 21, 2013

Oct. 21, 2013 Bucksport Maine

              Ellsworth for Eternity :)

Hello family!                   Oct. 21, 2013

I hope that you have been having a great week!  Hopefully you did lots of fun things for Lizzie's and Mom's birthdays :)  It is great to know that grandpa is recovering well I have been praying for him!  I got your letters today which was really nice :)  You broke our streak though!  Between the three of us nobody had written us anything for a week and a half.  Quite crazy!  It was great hearing from you though, and I'm glad that you are doing well :)

This week has been absolutely crazy!!  I don't even know how to describe it at all.  Just plain insane!!  Alright, where to even begin...

Monday- We had family home evening with a less-active lady and her eight year old daughter.  It was a lot of fun, we painted prayer rocks and really got to know them better.  I'm so grateful for family home evening, it really brings families closer together when they set aside time to do fun and wholesome things with each other.  I'm so grateful that we would have family home evening!! :)

Tuesday- On Tuesday we taught Valerie, our new investigator!  She had been attending a ward in another area for a month with her friend and she likes it a lot so we were sent to teach her!  What a sweet miracle!  She is so nice, but it is kinda a tricky situation though because she is trying to get a divorce and other things.  We are really hoping that she will come to the Ellsworth branch though :)  We also went to this really sweet old lady's house and did some service for her, and even though she doesn't want to talk about the gospel, her heart was softened because we visited and helped her. 

Wednesday- We taught our scripture study class that we have at the church, and it went really well!! We discussed 3 Nephi 11 :)  Enough said.

Thursday- We had a lesson with James over the phone.  I can't even believe the change that has happened with him.  It is amazing to hear him talk about the gospel!  He has called all of his family and invited them to his baptism already, and he has been talking about the Book of Mormon and what we teach him with his fellow ship-mates.  He has said that they have told him that they have really seen a change in him :)  It is quite amazing!  It is also good because it is way less awkward with him and Sister Wallentine.  I guess the Lord works in mysterious ways, and if that is what it took to open his heart to the gospel then so be it.  We also went the the community meal, which was great because we have really been able to see how much more open people are with us now, it's great :)  There are a whole bunch of hippies that come, and they love talking with us.  Ahh, those hippies are quite the bunch!  I wish I could just take pictures of them and send them too you, they are great :) 

Friday- This was quite the awesome day! :)  We went and had lunch at the senior center with one of our ward members again, and there were a lot of people that came up and talked with us that wanted us to stop by and see them.  I just love the elderly!  Also, we drove down to the bottom part of our area and got permission to stay with a widow who lives in our branch!!  It was a blast! :) She lives in this little bungalow right next to the coast.  Beautiful!!  She is just the sweetest lady EVER!! :) 

Saturday-  We had a great, but kinda crammed night at her house, then ate, then took off.  I gained a lot from that stay, spiritually because she is just awesome, but also physically because boy that lady can cook!! :)  We went to Deer Isle, an island where all the people are related.  Really, it was kinda an out of body experience.  A whole new world out there in Deer Isle.  We met some nice people though, however, we probably won't focus our effort out there too much.  When we came back we saw Kaila, and holy cow, everything is kinda falling apart in her life, it is crazy.  We really don't know what to do.  The branch is really helping out though!  They have been reaching out to her and trying to do what they can to help.  I just don't know.  I feel like all I can do is love her.  And that is what I'll do :)  And then, to top the week off.  Transfer calls.  Ahh... it was quite nerve-wracking.  Sister Wallentine is leaving to go back to Idaho, Sister Fratcher is leaving to be a senior companion in another area, and I am staying as junior companion in Ellsworth.  I am so grateful that I get to stay here for another week.  I love this area so much!!! :)  The branch is amazing, and although things have been slow, we have really started to see the fruit of our labors :) 

Sunday- Last Sunday with my companions, and I'm not going to lie, it was weird.  I have grown so close to both of them, and it will be a big change not to be with them anymore.  Especially Sister Wallentine.  I have learned SO much this transfer and I feel so glad that I was able to experience all that has happened with them :)  I'm just grateful for companionships!  They have taught me a lot about myself and about the gospel, and words can't even express how grateful I am that I've been able to grow with them here in Ellsworth :)  But change comes for a reason, and I've got to grow even more!  I'm a bit nervous, but excited that I'll get to meet my new companion tomorrow :)

Overall, this has been one of the greatest weeks ever!!  We have all just gotten along so well and have had many, many laughs :)  I'm just so grateful for missions and for the friendships that I've been able to make!  We've gone through a lot together, but we all made it through and have learned a bunch!! :)  Hooray for learning and growing and being happy!! 

I just love the gospel and I love sharing it with people! :)  I love you too, and hope that you have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Bergeson :)

Oct. 14, 2013 Bucksport Maine

The Touch of the Master's Hand Family!!                          Oct. 14, 2013 Hello, hello!!  I hope that October is treating you all well! I can't believe how fast it is going, really!  I hope that things will start to slow down for you, mom!  And Lizzie, I can't believe that you are 11 years old!  I hope that you had the best birthday ever!  Dixie sounds like a cute little puppy, you should send me a picture of her :)  I heard that it has been snowing in Utah or something. That is pretty crazy if it's true!  The weather has been pretty amazing here in Maine, like, perfect fall weather :)  I did go to the store last week and buy some warmer clothes though because I've got to be prepared for what has been rumored to be the coldest winter in a while...not so fun, but I'll have the warmth of the spirit right? :) Yep, yep!! So, where to start with this week?  It flew right by!  We went on two exchanges, and they were both pretty sweet!  I've had so much fun going on lots of exchanges, and I learn so much from them!  Um..also a fun fact- I bought almond milk this week, and I may be converted to it.  It really isn't as bad as I thought it would be, and it is much healthier than 2% milk.  I just hate feeling like I'm eating such unhealthy stuff all the time.  No good!  Also another fun thing we did this week was that we had a fun finding day and switched it up a bit.  We went to the hospital and a funeral home and signed up as clergy.  It was an adventure.  We taught the primary, which was another adventure!  It was a lot of fun, and it is crazy how much the spirit was there, even when they got wiggly :) We also enjoy throwing marshmallows into each others mouths. Lots of fun!!  So, on a more spiritual note, I just feel like I have learned so, so much this transfer about my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I don't even know where to begin!  So, although we don't really have many investigators we are meeting with, we have been calling James like twice every week to teach him over the phone, and that has been going amazing.  It is crazy how much he is learning and wanting to change.  He loves the Book of Mormon, and he has finished it two times!  We have taught him all of the lessons and we are continuing to call and follow up on questions from his reading and so on.  I just can't believe how much he has changed!  I can just tell in his voice.  He pretty much bore his testimony to us yesterday, and he told us that everything has been falling into place in his life recently.  It is truly amazing the conversion that has taken place in him.  It reminds me of Kaila :)  But, it kinda seems like there was an equal and opposite reaction with her spiritual high.  Her life was already hard, and now it seems like it is crumbling apart.  She found out that her grandpa had cancer and doesn't have too much longer to live.  It has just been really hard, and we don't know what we can do.  We can love her, I know that, but it is just hard because we haven't been able to see her too much.  She has been staying with her aunt sometimes and trying to help her crazy situation out.  The Lord has definitely given her trials, and we just hope and pray that she holds on to the gospel and everything that we have taught her.  She changed so much, but she has to keep relying on the Lord.  It's hard to put the natural man aside, but that is what God asks of us.  Endure to the end.  I feel like I have learned so much more about enduring this transfer.  Things can be slow sometimes, but I find miracles in small moments when I stick it out with a smile on :)  I feel like I have really been working on turning my heart to the Savior and aligning my will to His.  It has been something that has been on my mind a lot lately, and it has come up in my scripture study a lot.  Ahh, personal scripture study!  It is my favorite!! :)  I love having time to really search the scriptures and apply them to my life, and I find such comfort and peace when I do :)  I have been going through and reading and pondering the new testament hand in hand with Jesus the Christ, and it has been amazing.  I have grown a stronger and stronger testimony that He truly is the Master Teacher.  I studied about Him feeding the 5,000 today, and I feel like my life has been changed.  I feel like it applied to me so much.  The lad with the 5 loaves and two fish gave everything he had to the Savior.  It wasn't much, but he allowed the Savior to bless it and brake it, and it ended up feeding 5,000 people until they were filled.  I feel like that lad.  Here in the mission field I feel so weak sometimes.  But, I know I have something to offer, no matter how small it is.  I know that as I give my will, talents, time, my all to the Savior, he will magnify my offering and I will be filled along with many others.  I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.  I really do.  I know that under His hand I can do all that He would have me if I just surrender my will to His.  There is a poem that I absolutely love that you must go and read. It is called, "The Touch of the Master's Hand" by Myra Brooks Welch.  It is in the September 2013 Ensign, and it is amazing, and so true.  I know that the Savior can change lives.  I have seen Him change my companions, people who I've taught, and I have seen how he has started to change me as I continue to progress here in Maine.  It doesn't mean that it is easy, but I know that it will be worth it!! :)  The next not easy thing that I'll have to go through is coming right around the corner.  Transfers.  Sister Wallentine, my trainer, will have completed an honorable mission coming up here soon, and it will be so weird not being her companion.  She has taught me so much about the Savior, and I know that she has been such an influence for good in my life. I am just so grateful for her!!  I have no idea what is going to happen with transfers other than that though. It truly is all up to the Lord!  I'm grateful that no matter what happens I can continue learning of Him and growing through my experiences :)  I know that He will shape me into who I need to be if I let Him.  Missions are wonderful!  I am so grateful that I can be an instrument in God's hands because I know that He is the source of true strength, hope, love, and conversion. I love you so much and have an amazing week! Look for the change that comes at the touch of the Master's hand as you give Him everything you have! Sister Bergeson :)

Oct. 7, 2013 Bucksport, Maine

Faith in Every Footstep

Family Dearest!                                               Oct. 7, 2013

This week has been pretty amazing!  I feel like there is so much that I want to write about but I don't know how to say it all without everything coming out all jumbled.  But, I guess I'll try.  First of all, how are all of you doing?  I've just loved the letters that you write :) I hope that you had a fantastic conference weekend!  I know that that was most certainly the highlight of my week!! 

But before I talk about conference I have to tell you about our miracle this week!!  So, as you know we have been really struggling finding people to teach, and it has certainly been a trial of our faith.  But the hard times definitely prepare you for the good!  Wednesday was that hard day for me.  We got a text from Kaila that pretty much said that she is having the hardest time right now and she doesn't know what to do.  She and her husband have started fighting again and her daughter has been really sick for some time.  ..Satan...  She said she wanted some time to sort it all out herself, and we really didn't know what to do.  So, we prayed about it and we decided to call her and ask if she wanted Autumn to have a blessing and she agreed.  I'm still not exactly sure how everything is going with her, but certainly keep her in your prayers!  That was a pretty rough night for me.  However, the day that followed was quite the opposite!  We went to contact a former investigator and met one of the sweetest girls who wants to learn more about the gospel!  She wants us to teach her!!!  It is such a blessing :)  She was raised Catholic, but disagreed with some things they taught.  Then she got into drugs when she was a teenager and now she is in her mid 20's with a five year old boy that she wants to raise with a religion, but she hasn't found one yet.  She told us that our church was about the only one she hadn't looked into and she is excited to learn more!!  I am so grateful that we have to opportunity to teach her the gospel because I know that it is exactly what her family needs!! :)  I am just so grateful that we have the chance to help her develop a relationship with her Savior :) 

The rest of this week just flew by!  Things have been going well with our trio, and I feel like I can be open with them :)  Being open..it is such a necessity to building any relationship!  I have most certainly learned that!! :) Yep, yep!!  

Can I just say that I LOVE general conference!  It is amazing and I felt the spirit so strong in every session.  We are so blessed that we can listen to the council of living prophets in our day!  I know that I received answers to the questions that I asked and I have a renewed desire to serve God and His children.  I feel like I just learned so much and I don't even know how to write the half of it!  Really.  One thing that I have been thinking a lot about that was discussed a lot is enduring to the end. Every morning that I wake up I have to make decisions, like Elder Nelson talked about.  They are little, but they have eternal significance.  I decide whether or not I get out of bed before 6:30, whether or not I say my prayers in the morning, whether or not I exercise and whether or not I study personally from the scriptures.  These choices effect every aspect of my day.  They are small and simple things, but they bring to pass great things!  I feel like that is exactly how life is.  Making small decisions day by day that effect how my life will be in eternity.  Thinking about it gives me such a broader perspective about what my Savior wants me to do.  He wants me to choose Him!  However, life is hard.  Satan's only desire is to drag us down with him and he makes it seem like the little things aren't very important.  He justifies doing a little sin, even though, as we know small things bring about great things, good or bad.  Trials, temptations, and challenges come, but that is exactly why we have the Atonement.  I have never felt so close to my Savior in my life than out here serving a mission for Him.  I know He is with me every step of the way.  As I've been thinking about this, I've been thinking about Grandma Otto.  There were a couple of people that talked about looking to the examples of ancestors, and I know that the more I learn about how Grandma lived her life the more I want to emulate her.  She was most certainly a pioneer, and she walked with faith in every footstep.  She relied on God and kept her head up through the challenges that came her way.  I know she wasn't perfect, but she is one of my greatest hero's because I feel like she is a marvelous example of enduring to the end.  These are perilous times and I feel like conference was a call for us to come to Christ, rely on Him, stand strong, endure to the end, be an example to others, and share the gospel with them.  I know that the more that I've learned about my Savior the more that I want to shape my life after His, and the more I want to help others grow to know about His plan.  Because I have the gospel I have the great responsibility to share it with others, and Christ has promised me help as I follow Him and do the little things.  I just want to let you know family that I have such a strong testimony of the little things!  I know that prayer is direct communication we can have with God if we do so with a sincere heart.  I know that the scriptures have changed my life as I've diligently prayed to understand them and apply them in my life.  I know that the Atonement is real and Christ is waiting with open arms for us to come to Him :)  I know that as we do the little things we can endure anything!  What a blessing to know in the conditions of the world today!  I am so grateful for the gospel and the hope and joy that it brings into my life.  I know that by taking life one step at a time, with each little decision, relying on Jesus Christ, we can reach our divine potential!  Slowly but surely building the kingdom of God on earth with faith in every footstep!! :)

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ!  I love our prophet Thomas S. Monson!  I love you family! 

Have a great week!

Sister Bergeson