Oct. 13, 2014 Littleton, New Hampshire

Have I Done Any Good?

Family Dearest!!                             Oct. 13, 2014

Happy Monday!  I hope that your week has been fantastically wonderful! I seriously feel like I hardly even remember mine.  I'll never be able to catch up with how fast time is flying!!  It is getting pretty chilly up here fast, and members have been saying they've seen signs that we're going to get snow soon....(please be wrong, please)!!  We'll just have to wait and see! 

There were a bunch of things that happened this week, all starting out with driving down to the mission home to stay the night on Monday! :)  We had our new missionary training meeting Tuesday, and it was so much fun! I loved being able to see all the awesome missionaries there and feel the motivating and renewing power of the Spirit!  Training this time around has been less stressful, I feel like, and Sister Maxwell is just the bomb!  She knows so much about the gospel,and I feel like I'm learning much more from her than she's learning from me.  We get along really well, and we've already made some great memories!  So, the drive back after the meeting, we went through Franconia Notch, and it was beautiful!!  Can I just say, I love New England! :)

This week we've been able to see some great miracles with members.  We've been having regular meetings with the bishop, which has been super helpful!  We had dinner at his house this past week, and it was pure entertainment the whole time.  I just love their family, they seriously have the wittiest children I've ever known!  Anyways, we've been able to meet more less-active members this week, one who came to Young Women's and two who showed up at Sacrament meeting! :)  It was so great to meet them, and we're going to start meeting with one of them!  I've definitely seen how important it is to work with members as I've been serving in this ward.  They have such strong desires to do missionary work, and they've been reaching out and serving a lot of different people, which has been awesome!  We really wouldn't be able to do effective work without them!  Another cool thing was that we had a mini-mission with Whitney!! :)  Whitney has been working on her mission papers for a while and is going to get her call hopefully soon.  She is just totally awesome, and we had a great time!  She stayed the night with us Thursday and went out with us all of Friday!  It was super fun, and we got to go to far out places in our area we hadn't been able to work in too much and met some great people!  She is such a huge help to us, and totally the greatest ward missionary ever (also, the first ward missionary I've ever got to work with :))!!  Being able to serve with the incredible members in New England has been one of my favorite parts of being a missionary!

Saturday and Sunday were such great days in a lot of different ways.  I've never met so many people that speak so many languages other than English in my life!!  It was pretty much like the whole world decided to go on vacation to Littleton, NH this weekend :)  Best thing ever!  Every other person we talked to could only manage to get out the word 'tourist' before continuing on, it was too fantastic! :)  But, what was even better was that we were able to do a lot of service!!  We helped with a project the Red Cross did to help educate people about house fires, which can happen super easily in these beautiful, but old New England houses with their wood stoves and such.  It was a lot of fun running around leaving fliers on houses door to door with the members in our bright yellow 'helping hands' pennies :)  Dream come true, I've always wanted to wear one of those things!!  It made me happy to be able to help!  And after that, we helped Sister Davis, a member who has been having health problem after health problem come up, clean and start to unpack her house.  She was so grateful we came, and she was a lot happier when we left than when we got there.  What I loved was how everything about Saturday tied into church on Sunday.  Fast and testimony meeting was amazing.  There really are a lot of trials many members in the ward are working through right now, but the love and support they all give to each other is so strong, it is incredible!  Then, in Relief Society we talked all about love and service.  Service was a big theme I saw throughout General Conference, and I've definitely gained a testimony of it this past week, and really, my whole mission.  I love being able to help others who need a helping hand!  What a great example the Savior has set for us! It humbles me and brings the purest kind of joy I've ever felt.  Being able to serve God by serving His children is a wonderful opportunity, and I want to make sure I take every chance I get to be able to do acts of charity in any way I can for the rest of my life :) 

Well, I hope that you all have a great week!  Love you so much!

"First observe, then serve!" -Linda K. Burton

Sister Bergeson :)

Oct. 6, 2014 Littleton, N.H.

Follow the Prophet

Hello, hello!!                       Oct. 6, 2014

So, I hope that you had a super duper awesome conference weekend!!!!! :) :)  I absolutely LOVE the time of year when conference comes around!  I was definitely hungry for some spiritual food!  And now, I'm feeling pretty full, but I'll talk more about that later.. :)  Thank you, thank you for the package, loved it!  Also, something pretty cool.. I taught Sister Maxwell how to crochet (well, more like provided the needle and yarn and she pretty much taught herself from there), and we had quite a ball! :)  Other than conference this week has been pretty interesting...

Monday night I was feeling the effects of my cold and totally lost my voice.  It just disappeared!  I thought it was quite funny at the beginning, but by Thursday I was kind of tired of it.  A lot.  I didn't feel super sick, just tired and lots of congestion, especially in my chest, but my voice just wasn't wanting to work.  Being a missionary and not having a working voice isn't the greatest combination, but I kept croaking my way through day to day.  I decided I'd at least call someone to ask if they knew what was going on, so the mission doctor listened as I described the symptoms, and pretty quickly told me I had...laryngitis.  So, that has been a pretty fun adventure!! :)  I'm just starting to get my voice back now, which has been a total blessing!  I'll never take my voice for granted again!!!

We were able to do some fun things with members this week!  I love family home evenings, and we were finally able to do one with a family, and it was super fun!!  Reminded me of all the great times that we had when I was growing up gathering together and spending quality time with each other!  I'm so grateful that we had regular FHE's, memories :)  We were also able to help S. Mann move out of her apartment, which was bittersweet.  I'll miss her being so close to us, but soon she'll be heading out to Equador and I'm so excited for her.  I've learned so much from her, and I just love her so much! :)  We taught a bunch of members this week as well!  We've really been focusing on the Book of Mormon, and it has been going fantastic!  So, pretty much, miracle of the week.  We had an incredible lesson with Hansel (the miracle member we found when we were street contacting)! It was so amazing, and totally 100% directed by the Spirit!  He read the introduction to the Book of Mormon like we asked him to do last time, so we talked about the last two paragraphs over again with him so we could discuss them.  We talked about how important it is to pray with faith, and he was having a hard time with that one.  He is really a logical thinker and way philosophical, so he was always trying to take things deeper and he asked lots of questions about everything.  So, pretty much we tried to keep things as basic as possible, because he's not going to gain a testimony of deeper doctrine until he has a solid understanding of the basics, like faith.  We focused on faith the whole entire time, using Alma 32 (love!), and emphasized how important it is to know truth for ourselves.  I felt the presence of the Holy Ghost as we bore testimony to him about our own quests for truth,  the knowledge that we've gained, and how that has blessed us in our lives.  I also feel like my faith was strengthened as I shared my testimony.  I'm so grateful I have the chance to be a missionary and testify of gospel truths!

The day after that lesson was conference!!  Again, I just loved it so much and I felt the Spirit really strong (D&C 68:4).  Also,  I feel like so many of the talks tied in with what we discussed with Hansel.  I love how gaining a personal testimony through continuing revelation was mentioned so much.  Also, building our foundations on Jesus Christ!  I just loved all the talks, and I feel like it was exactly what I needed right now.  I know that having the opportunity to serve a mission has helped me so much in my process of building upon the rock of my Redeemer.  I've definitely experienced trials as I've been out, but I know that as I've put my trust in the Savior and tried to follow His example and teachings, I've been supported and strengthened.  In the moment it seems the trials are difficult, but over time as I look at the big perspective, I know I was given them to help me stretch and grow.  I know that my life will never be free of difficulties or trials.  Satan will continue to send his mighty winds to try to shake my foundation, rock me out of the boat, and let go of the rod, but I know that as long as I keep the faith I'll be able to withstand.  I'm so grateful for the experiences I've had that have taught me this, as well as the people who have gone before me that I've looked up too, like, Joseph Smith and especially the Lord, Jesus Christ.  I know that as I follow their examples and teachings, along with the teachings of modern day prophets and apostles, I'll be blessed!

I love you all so much!!  I'm so grateful that we're a family :)  Have a wonderful week!

"Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38)

Sister Bergeson :)

Pictures Sept, 15, 2014

 Tracting in the rain

 Jessica's apartment in Littleton, New Hampshire

 Driving in Vermont

Sept. 15, 2014 Littleton, New Hampshire

After the Trial of Faith

Hello there!!                             Sept. 15, 2014

I hope that you all had a wonderful week!  And that it was warmer than it was here!!  Weather.  It was 44 degrees yesterday...  I broke out my coat and wool tights.  Where did the summer go?  Really!  Hopefully it will warm up, seriously praying for an Indian Summer over here!  I'm pretty sure that's what it's called..

Well, this week was pretty crazy.  I mean, we totally saw a bobcat run across the road in front of our car!!  What?  It did feel super super long, but a lot of incredible stuff happened!!  All beginning with Sister Mann (the former YW president, and like, one of the greatest members ever!!) getting her mission call!!  The whole ward gathered at a members house for a bonfire, and we had a giant impromptu missionary FHE, ending with Sister Mann opening her call!!  She is going to Ecuador!  Serving in a temple over there in a city that I have no idea how to spell... um... Guayaquil, that's it! :)  It was so much fun!  The ward here is just awesome, they really are all like family, I love it!! 

That night and the next morning/day was really off for me, though.  This whole transfer I've just been doing fantastic and been super happy, but I seriously felt like I was being pulled down hard core those days.  I had all these negative thoughts, very little desire to do anything, and it was just hard!  I really have no idea what started it all, it just came and hit me like a ton of bricks.  But we just kept going through the day we scheduled and I pushed myself along.  I feel like my prayers were more like pleas to help me through.  Looking back, I feel like that experience was a little test of my faith.  I've been praying to see miracles this whole transfer, and we've been working our tails off, and been seeing them, but I guess I needed to get over this little hump that was put in my way to see what more God had in store! 

It reminds me of a quote Sister Wallentine gave me at the beginning of my mission-

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously.  When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (proverbs 3:11-12).  He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit.  To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain...This life is an experience of profound trust-trust in Jesus Christ."

I was stretched and it was hard, but I can't deny that we've seen miracles this week as we trusted in our Savior!!  The first miracle happened at the end of the day on Tuesday.  I was doing a bit better, but still struggling.  So, we had like 15-20 minutes left before we had to get in at 9:00, and we decided to walk Main Street.  Well, as we were walking, there was a man we stopped and talked to...who wasn't interested at all.  Just like everyone else that day.  We kept walking, and not a minute later we hear someone calling from behind us, "Are you Mormons?"  We turned around and saw a cute little family flagging us down.  The mom started telling us all about her best friend who is a Mormon and how much she loves them and Utah and everything.  She was hands down the nicest lady I've ever met on the street!  They moved from Oregon not too long ago and the ward there helped them move.  They were so grateful!  Then, she starts talking about how she doesn't smoke, drink alcohol or coffee, and how they decided a while ago they were going to do 'the Mormon food storage.'  She asked where the church was and for a Book of Mormon "because hers was in storage.." and on and on.  Sister Miller and I were practically speechless.  Then a member popped into my mind and I told her she was totally like this member in our ward and she was super excited and wrote down all of her into and everything and said for the member to call her so they could get together.  Holy cow!!  Crazy!!  And to top it off, before we left, their eight year old daughter whispered in her mom's ear and asked her if she could give us free hugs.  Which she did.  Super cute!!  They totally live in our area, and I'm just so excited to see what happens from here.  But even if they end up not being interested, it was exactly what I needed to strengthen my faith.  What a tender mercy from the Lord!

Then, on Friday, Sister Miller was like, not having a very good day either...what was up with that?  Really!  Satan... But, it made for another miracle, or two!!  We contacted a potential couple we met on the street, and they invited us in and we had an awesome first lesson with them!! :)  Hooray!!  The first new investigators we've found this whole transfer! :)   When we were walking home on Main Street we were talking with people, and we see this guy smoking a cigarette see us and smile, so we stopped him and were like, "we're Mormons" and he was totally like, "hey, yeah I grew up Mormon"  and proceeded to tell us about how he graduated from a school in Utah and went on a mission and got back two years ago and he moved into our area I'm not sure how long ago.  Um... What?!?  He gave us all of his info as well, and we found out some members in our ward know his parents, so they are going to talk to them and do some investigating!  I've definitely found that as we've shown the Lord we are willing to talk with everyone, He's placed prepared people in our path.  

The Lord's timing and plan is incredible!  I'm so grateful for the hard times that we've had as a companionship, because that is what has helped us grow the most, and we've really been blessed for continuing on and trusting God.  I love being a missionary and am so grateful for all the experiences I've had that I've been able to learn from.  I feel my faith growing stronger and my desire to share the gospel is increasing!  And what is more, we were given a challenge by President Stoker that will continue to increase my faith.  But first of all, I've got to say that this challenge came right when I was finishing the Book of Mormon for the second time on my mission, which was wonderful!  So, the challenge... is to read the whole Book of Mormon by October 21st.  It started last week, and it has been so great to read, read, read the Book of Mormon!!!  I've already learned so much, and I'm excited to keep on going!  

Overall, just an incredible week!!  And I trust that the next one will be as well.  Jam packed though with exchanges, zone conference, and transfer calls and all...  Bring it on!! :)  Hope you have a fantastic week as well, fam!!!  Love you so much!!!

Ether 12:6

Sister Bergeson :)

Pictures Sept 8, 2014

At Echo Lake

Sept 8, 2014 Littleton, New Hampshire

Hold to the Rod

Family dearest!!                 Sept. 8, 2014

I hope that this week has been going well for you!  I can't believe that it is already Monday again, it goes by soooo fast!  And so many things have happened!  First, I've just gotta say that I absolutely LOVE this area!  It is incredible!  It has been amazing how fast I've adjusted to everything here, and it totally feels like home.  Well, every area that I've been privileged to serve in has felt like home...  I just love New England!!!

So, this week the weather has been absolutely wonderful! :)  All except the day where it down-poured like crazy... yep, practically hurricane conditions..., Sister Miller and I were totally blocks away from our car, and we got soaked head to toe, and we laughed the whole time :)  I love the fall, just love it, and I'm so excited to see another one, especially in this area!  But on the not as good side, a result from the weather, or who knows what, was that Sister Miller came down with a cold this week.  Not super pretty.  She was totally exhausted, but a trooper.  We would go out on Main Street when she felt up to it and do finding and even though we were only able to get out for like an hour or so we talked to 20 people and invited them to learn about the gospel :)  Talking to total strangers on the street about the gospel has gotten easier for me, which I never thought I would say!  Actually kind of enjoyable :)  You never know who you'll run into!  We had a super awesome experience with that this week!  As we were walking our street (Main Street Littleton is totally ours...) we saw someone walking towards us who greeted us with a happy "Hi sisters!"  We were a bit confused and asked him if he had ever talked to missionaries before, and he said sure he had!  We walked and talked with him for a good 15 minutes after we met him and he told us all about how he was baptized when he was 14 years old with his family but left the church when he was 19 but he would go to his parent's house when they had the missionaries over for dinner and stuff, and he still thinks highly of the church.  He just moved to Littleton three weeks ago from New York, and he was way nice.  He even told us that he would be alright if we taught him!!  We could hardly believe that even happened after we said bye to him.  The Lord's timing is perfect!!!  Definitely a testimony builder!  There have been several other miracles we've seen as we've been trying to find people in our area to teach!  Sister Miller and I have been talking a lot about diligence and obedience lately and we've definitely been working on it, and it has been exhausting, but we are being blessed for it!!  I love missionary work!! :)

District meeting this week was really good, and it pretty much was about everything I've been studying about for the past while which sums up to be..conversion.  I love that word!  The Bible dictionary definition is awesome, it says conversion, "denotes changing one's views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God."  Also, "Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing."  My mission has definitely solidified in my mind the truth that conversion is a process and not an event.  Every day, every hour I can choose how I'm going to allow the experiences I have to change me.  I'm always changing in one way or another, I can't stand still.  I'm grateful for the experiences that I've had on my mission, and I know that as I've exercised faith, I've chosen to be molded a little more into who God needs me to become.  Faith.  I love that word too!!  And I love how necessary it is in the conversion process :)  Every decision to follow God is a decision to exercise faith and every time we exercise faith we are blessed which strengthens our conversion.  I love how simple and perfect God's plan is!! :)  This past week I feel like my perspective has changed about the day to day work.  I've noticed that I choose how I react to the alarm sounding in the morning.  I choose how focused my morning prayer is.  I choose whether or not I'm going to exercise hard for 30 minutes.  I choose whether or not I'm going to be worthy enough to have the spirit with me to teach me while I study in the morning.  I choose whether or not I'm going to talk to the man on the street or not.  And on and on and on.  I can choose to let my agency to strengthen uplift or bless me, or tear me down.  But what gives me the most hope is that there is always another day, another hour!!  I can choose to change my course if I start to go off track!!  And I'm never alone.  Reading the scriptures makes me feel so close to my Father in Heaven and having scriptures and also hymns memorized has helped me choose to turn to Him in times when I feel discouraged for making a wrong choice, no matter how small it may have been.  One hymn that I've been thinking about lately has been number 274, "The Iron Rod."  I love the story that it tells.  It says,

While on our jouney here below,
Beneath temptation's pow'r,

Through mists of darkness we must go,

In peril every hour.

And when temptation's pow'r is nigh,
Our pathway clouded o'er,

Upon the rod we can rely,

And heaven's aid implore.

And, hand o'er hand, the rod along,

Through each succeeding day,

With earnest prayer and hopeful song,

We'll still pursue our way.

Afar we see the golden rest

To which the rod will guide,

Where, with the angels bright and blest,
Forever we'll abide.

The fourth verse is my favorite.  Hand o'er hand, choice by choice, inching our way closer to our Savior and Redeemer, with the Book of Mormon as a guide as well as the Holy Ghost.  Two of the greatest tools for conversion!  I know that choosing to serve a mission has changed me, and it will continue to change me as I serve as God wants me too.  I also know that I've seen others I've been able to serve change as they work on their conversion.  It is amazing!!  Just a little while ago I read an email Valerie (recent convert I taught in Ellsworth)!!  She told me how she was doing, and she is pregnant!!!  So is Kaila (another recent convert I taught in Ellsworth)!!  Valerie is a strong member and said she has been given the assignment to visit teach Kaila, who has been struggling a lot lately.  She has been meeting with her and praying with her and strengthening her as best she can, and she told me she would continue to lead by example.  I feel so happy to know that those I have taught are being taken care of, by each other even!!  They are strengthening each other in their conversion processes.  What a blessing!!!!! :)

I love this gospel!  I know it is true!  I'm so grateful for the countless miracles I've been able to witness on my mission, and I know that as I continue faithfully, I'll see more and more throughout my whole life.  I just need to hold to the rod!!

Love you so much family!  I'm so grateful for all of you!  Have a wonderful week!!!!!

Choose to be changed! (Mosiah 3:19)

Sister Bergeson :)