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 :) 
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