Bethel Maine, June 24, 2014

Might as Well :)

Family, family!!             June 23, 2014

Hey! So, I hope that you have had a totally fantastic week!  It has been great here in Bethel!  Week 6 of the transfer starts today, holy cow, where has the time gone?  The weather has been picture perfect :)  Love it so much!  It has been busy, and I have a bunch I feel like I want to write and a pretty short amount of time, so I'm going to dive right in! :)

Sister Banda is pretty awesome!!  We had a great week as a companionship!  Hooray for being able to communicate openly and honestly!  Definitely brought us closer, and we're going to be able to help each other a lot more now.  I'm so grateful for the chance I have to train her, I've already learned so much from her :)  

We did a lot of finding this week, but as far as the people we're teaching, we were able to go out to lunch with two of our investigators, Andrea and Don, which was fun!  Andrea is moving pretty soon to Rhode Island which will be weird, it has been such an adventure teaching her!  We also taught Arleen, Michael, and Doris, which was great.  Michael is doing super fantastic!  He has such a desire to be baptized, and the church is pretty much his greatest strength right now.  We set a baptism date with him for July 18th! :)  It has been a hard week for him though.  We found out a couple of days ago that he has lung cancer.  We didn't even know what to think at first, but after talking with him about it we know he'll be fine, he has so much faith and will accept God's plan for him, whatever it is.  They caught it at the early stages and are going to see what options he has to get the tumor out.  We've been praying a lot for him.  

Besides the sad news, we were able to see a lot of miracles this week.  Small, but they definitely were what I needed!! :)  We had zone interviews, and those are always amazing!  I love being able to talk to president.  He's amazing!  In our zone meeting we talked about overcoming our doubts.  That pretty much set the tone for me the rest of the week.  I am so grateful for my district and zone leaders (who are in my district).  They help push me to work harder.  One of the zone leaders is incredible at finding and talking with everyone, and his favorite saying right now is, "might as well."  We've tried to adopt that saying into our companionship and it has worked miracles!  It all started on exchange after interviews.  We had a bit of tracting planned and we decided we were going to talk with everyone, and boy, it was so much fun!!  We were able to go up to some construction workers on break and find a potential investigator.  Even though they looked super intimidating, we decided we might as well go up to them, and we were totally blessed for it!  When we exchanged back we were walking down a street and saw a house under construction a ways off the road.  We decided we might as well see if anyone was there, and what do ya know?  We found a potential family!  Two days ago we were walking down a deserted road only to find some seemingly deserted condos up by Sunday River.  We were about to pass them when I spotted a flower pot on one of the porches, we decided we might as well go see, and we ended up teaching a lady the Restoration and she said she would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it!  Although we weren't able to find any new investigators, we planted a lot of seeds because we decided we might as well just talk with everyone and follow every good thought!  It was probably the most exciting week of finding I've ever had.  Yep it was kinda scary, but super fulfilling!!  I feel like my prayers to increase my faith and desire to find are being answered, mainly because I've taken the first step to change and let Christ do the rest.  Still not great at it, but I feel like I'm climbing higher :)  It is hard work, but what isn't if it is what Christ wants us to do?  I know that he'll help me as long as I'm diligent and have faith in Him.  This is His work and He'll direct me and strengthen me as long as my desires are His desires.  

I'm excited to see what next week brings!  Have a fantastic week too family!  Love you all so much!!

Feed your faith and doubt and fear with starve to death!

Sister Bergeson :)

June 16, 2014 Bethel, Maine

Families and Fathers :)

Hey hey!!                                      June 16, 2014

Family!! I hope that you've had a super great week! Especially with Father's Day :)  Hope to see a picture of dad in a silly shirt soon ;)  It has been a good week for us here in beautiful Bethel! :)  I've loved being able to see how the landscape has totally transformed here.  Everything that looked super dead is now alive!!  So, this week we were able to see quite a few people, and some great miracles as well! :) 

I have got to start with Michael.  Holy cow do I just love him!!  He, like the earth, seems to have totally transformed this spring!  Last winter he just seemed sad and hopeless.  He beat himself up a lot, and was constantly apologizing for his imperfections.  He did have quite a rough go there for a while, but the way he has reacted to his adversity has been a blessing in not only his life, but in mine as well.  He is such an example to me.  He turned to His Savior, Jesus Christ, just like Alma the Younger did!  And what a difference it has made in his life!  His whole countenance is brighter!  He is so much more positive, and he is working hard to do what he needs to so he can be baptized.  One thing that I've loved being able to teach Michael is being able to witness the fact that conversion is a process.  It has been since September or so when he started meeting with the sisters, and slowly but surely he has learned and grown to a point where his faith is becoming unshakable.  The trials and challenges he experienced in the time he's been learning about the gospel have been exactly what he has needed.  Even though it was hard and will continue to be hard, God knows what He is doing.  A couple of days ago we talked with Michael on the phone and he said that he had been praying about it and he would like to strive to be baptized by his birthday, July 18th. What a miracle!  He still has to overcome a couple things, but I know that if he trusts in God and does all he can to make it happen, his righteous desire will be granted.  We are so happy for him!! My testimony that God loves us each perfectly and individually sure has grown as I've seen Him work in Michael's life. 

Another miracle that we saw this week occurred on Friday the 13th.  Yep!  We had a lesson with our investigator Andrea.  She was in a great emotional place, which was awesome, and she definitely gets the gospel.  It is fantastic!!  She likes it so much, she has the desire to share it with others.  Background- She is living at a condo at the base of Sunday River.  Now that ski season is over she has been the only one living in the big condo building for weeks.  Miracle- Before our lesson she told us she got a new roommate and was excited to introduce us to him, so after we met Don.  Don is a pretty sweet guy who likes talking about religion.  He had already read a biography about Joseph Smith, so we had a great gospel conversation and set up a time to come back.  A new investigator!!  And Andrea played such a key role in all of it!! :)  It was awesome to see!!  It is always great when God gives such an unexpected tender mercy!  Like I said last week, we'd been working and praying to find someone new to teach the gospel too, and this week was no different.  We had some interesting run ins with some people, and we hopefully softened people's hearts, but no one was interested in listening to our message.  However, instead of getting discouraged, I was happy :)  My attitude and breathing definitely helped with that!! Even though Don wasn't a direct result of our finding efforts, God blessed us for striving to do what we could to find.  What a blessing! 

We had such great help from members this week, and I've definitely seen that there is such a big difference when a member comes to a lesson as opposed to going it alone!  We've been trying to get different members involved as well, which has been going great! :)  The members are just so great here!  What a great ward family I've become a part of :)  We were able to have Father's Day dinner with the Young family and it was wonderful!! :)  They are so loving and when we go there it feels like home away from home.  It was so nice of them to have us over for their family gathering :)  Boy I sure do love families!!  My family, the ward families I've been apart of and just the whole human family.  What a wonderful truth!  The most important social unit is the family :) 

And the head of that family is the father.  Hooray for celebrating fathers!! :)  I love you so much Dad!!  I'm so grateful that you are a worthy priesthood holder, that you've set such a great example for me, and just that you love me :)  You've really helped me develop a greater relationship God.  It was great knowing that although I wasn't home for Father's Day to see you, I have my Heavenly Father with me always :)  I love Him so much, and I know that He is the reason that I'm here.  I know He has a plan for me and that He'll help me accomplish it as I diligently follow His commandments.  I'm just so grateful for my father and my Father! :) 

Well, I hope that you have a wonderful week!! I love you so much! 

Focus on the good!

Sister Bergeson :)

Pictures June 9, 2014

 With Sister DuBeau in her wheelchair

 By the covered bridge

Filling up water bottles with water from a spring

June 9, 2014 Bethel, Maine

Breathe

Dear, dear family!                           June 9, 2014

I hope that you've all had a super fantastic week!! :)  I can't even believe that it is June.  Nope can't.  This year has gone by so fast.  Last year I was in the MTC, and pretty much had absolutely no idea what I was doing.  Even though I still feel like that sometimes, so many amazing things have happened!  I never could have guessed the experiences that were in store for me while at my stay in the MTC!  And I still have 6 months left!! :)  And I'm pretty sure I'll be able to spend around two more in this beautiful area!!  I still haven't got used to how pretty it is here!  It is starting to get really warm too, which has been nice, but it means the heat and humidity will be coming in full force soon, so we'll see how that goes..   So, this week has been busy and blurry, so we'll see how much I'm able to recall.  Overall though, I feel like it was good :)

Last Monday was pretty fun!  After our P-day we drove the three hours down to Manchester to stay the night in the mission home for the new missionary training meeting that was on Tuesday.  That was an exciting ride.  GPS's here take you the weirdest ways!  We were travelling through all these super boonie towns, but it was BEAUTIFUL!! :)  I was really glad it decided not to take us down the super busy road.  Even though we had to get there eventually.  It was so weird driving with a lot of cars around me on a highway.  I'm so not used to it anymore.  The whole time I've been in Bethel I've never driven in a 2 lane road or faster than 55 miles an hour.  There are only like 3 stop lights in my whole area that I've ever seen.  So yeah, driving in a city- an experience.  I went through my first toll as well, which was fun :)  Another highlight was staying in the mission home, because I didn't get to when I first came out because there were so many other sisters.  Pretty neat! :)  The training meeting on Tuesday was exactly what I needed.  Always great to have a boost from the spirit :)  It was long, but we were able to talk about a lot of great things.  My favorite was when the trainers were able to pretty much have a forum with President Stoker.  It was great being able to talk with him and the other sisters (there are 3 other trainers this transfer, all sisters!) about our new missionaries and how to be the best trainers that we can for them.  I feel like I've been putting way too much pressure on myself sometimes and not letting Sister Banda have more responsibility.  That is something that I've been working hard on.  Also, we talked about giving a whole lot of encouragement and praise along with and constructive loving comments as directed by the spirit.  I know for me, being trained I needed a lot of positive pick me ups, so that is what I've been trying to do for Sister Banda :)  She is doing really, really well!! It has been great to see her grow, and she has so much love for all the people that we teach!  It is awesome seeing her receive revelation for them and becoming more confident in herself and in the spirit.  Lessons are flowing much better!!  Good stuff!! :)  After that meeting we drove back home, and boy that was a long ride.  When we got home I was plum pooped!!  I still feel like I'm trying to recover from that adventure, busy busy!

So, as far as our investigators, we had quite a few lessons fall through this week, which was a bummer, but what has been awesome-Michael!!  He is doing so, so well!  He has such a strong desire to be baptized and he has been working a lot on the word of wisdom :)  He is switching out his coffee for herbal tea, and he said that the taste of coffee is starting to disgust him!  It has been amazing to see his determination!  He had a great time at church this week as well, so he is progressing great! :)  Andrea on the other hand is kind of struggling with the word of wisdom.  She doesn't have that desire to give up alcohol.  That is what I've learned when it comes to following the commandments, desire is KEY!  And the thing is, there is no way that we can make someone desire something, they have to make that decision all on their own.  Agency is such a gift and blessing, but boy it certainly can cause road blocks sometimes!  Also, this week we met Sister McLaren's mom who will be staying with them for some time, and she is super great!  The McLarens were at church on Sunday!!!!! :)  It was so great to see them there, and Sacrament meeting seemed like it was just for them.  The spirit was so strong :)  I love church so much, it is always the boost I need to keep going the rest of the week!

And I really felt like I needed it this week.  We've been working hard and trying to find new investigators, especially using the Restoration pamphlet's pictures (that pamphlet is SWEET!!), but haven't really seen results yet.  It has been quite a while since we've had a new investigator in this area, and we've been praying and working hard, so I got kind of discouraged this week.  I also feel like I got a lot more stressed than usual.  It just wasn't the greatest with finding and a lot of appointments cancelled on us, so yep.  Just one of those weeks, but I definitely think it helped me see I need to work on being patient!  I can't compare my results with other missionaries, and I can't expect the blessings I want to come immediately because that doesn't bring happiness!  I need to slow down and let God take care of His work!  He knows exactly what needs to happen and when, and He knows what experiences I need to grow.  I just have to put my trust in Him and breathe.  Sister Lilly talks about breathing all the time, and she keeps saying that three deep breaths go a long way!  And I've definitely been able to see that they do!  I know that I need to do all I can, but sometimes what is most effective is to slow down and breathe.  Re-center.  Turn to God, and then keep moving forward!  Yep!  That is what I'll be working on this week! 

I've been reading in the New Testament this week, which has been great, and I found a great scripture about the Savior.  In Mark 2:35 it says, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed in to a solitary place, and there prayed."  Even Christ needed that time to breathe and talk to His Father.  I'm so grateful for prayer!  How amazing to be able to communicate with Him constantly!  On my mission so far I'd say that prayer and the scriptures have been my greatest tools.  I've grown so much because of them, and have had the opportunity to share them with others and see them grow as well.  What an honor! 

Well, I hope that you all have a fantastic week!! :)  Love you bunches, and...

Remember to breathe!!

Sister Bergeson :)

June 2, 2014 Bethel, Maine

There is Sunshine in my Soul Today :)

Family!!                                       June 2, 2014

What a beautiful day it is in Bethel, Maine today!! I just love it here so much!  Finally the sun has decided to stay out :)  And all the leaves on the trees have made their appearance!!  I've seen more green here than I have probably in my entire life!  Ahh... so good!  But well, I've also been attacked by bugs, and even had an allergic reaction to some of them, so I'm covered with bumps, but we bought bug spray, so that is good!  I hope things are going great at home!  Summer is practically here, it is crazy! 

This week lots of stuff happened!  Pretty great overall! :)  We were able to do a lot of volunteer work!  Yay!  I love being able to serve so many people!  It all started off with a meeting with the pastor of the Alliance church here in town.  It is the popular church here, and we wanted to get involved in their community meal they put on so we went there and asked if we could help out.  He said that he wanted to meet with us first, so we did, and boy it was exciting!  He wanted to get to know more about what we believed so he could see if we would be able to volunteer or something like that.  We need to be up to par with their standards of beliefs, I guess.  Anyways, the meeting went well.  He was kinda intimidating, but it was great to be able to clear up a couple things.  All he knew about Mormons was polygamy and the FLDS church.  So, we pretty much gave him a run down of everything!  We gave him a Book of Mormon and the Articles of Faith and he said that he would really look into it and talk with us later.  Pretty sweet!  We were also able to help a lady at the Methodist church as well.  We helped rake leaves a bit ago and this time she needed help cleaning the sanctuary.  It was such a great experience and she appreciated it so much!  :)  We helped Sister Smith paint and I learned how to edge a wall :)    And we miraculously found the Bethel Volunteer Fair 15 minutes before it closed and were able to find a whole bunch of opportunities to get involved in the community!  I love the responses we received when we were so willing to help others, it was great!! :)   Service...it is just awesome!! :)

Our investigators are doing well, but most especially Michael!  We have been working a lot with him, and he is doing great.  He felt like he had a whole lot of trials when he started learning which was hard for him, but he decided to turn to God and he feels so much stronger!  He is such a great example to me!  He has so much love for God and he is so grateful that we've been able to help him and we've never given up on him.  He is a modern day Alma the Younger, that is for sure!!  Andrea, another investigator of ours is also doing well, she came to church yesterday and bore her testimony!  It was a really neat experience!  It has been a great experience helping my new companion to adjust to being a missionary.  I've definitely needed to be patient, and it will be a process before teaching together will really flow, but it will all happen in the Lord's time, and boy I sure am growing in the process.  Sister Banda extended her first baptismal invitation to Josephine and Tony, which was pretty neat!  They said they had been thinking about it, but they really won't be able to make it to church right now because of different circumstances.  It was great to see her stretch herself though and go by the spirit and ask them :)  I'm a proud momma!  We've also been doing a lot of real playing (aka role playing), which has been great!  I love real playing because it helps me put things into words better.  I've had to work at it a lot, but I feel like my ability to teach has really grown.  It has been great now to be able to help Sister Banda and we're both learning as a result! :) 

Other cool news!  We had a lesson with Adan and he told us that he has been reading the scriptures and thinking a lot, and he keeps going over the idea of serving a mission in his head.  He wants to help other people improve their lives, especially by bringing them closer to God.  He is such a great example!  He comes to mutual on Wednesdays and includes everyone, so the youth have bonded a lot because of him.  It is great!!  He has a strong testimony and he is going to do amazing things!  Also, we had a lesson with the McLarens yesterday which went really well!  We've been focusing a lot on the scriptures the past couple of months, and likening them to ourselves, and it has been great!  Yesterday we went over the Psalm of Nephi and focused on asking inspired questions.  They were able to open up more, and Sister McLaren told us that she has been praying for the desire to quit smoking because she really wants to be sealed in the temple!! :)  Ahh!!  Miracle!!  We kind of talked about quitting with her a bit ago, but she was pretty set that she wasn't going to do anything about it until she decided she desired it, and the desire is coming!! :)  I love being able to see change and growth in the people that we teach!  I've truly come to love the McLarens and everyone else here!  I have such a strong desire to help them come closer to Christ, and when they decide that is what they want it is the greatest feeling in the world!! :)  I just love it!! 

One more story.  It was the last day of the month and miles were running low, but we wanted to go to Rumford, so off we went!  We parked in a central location and walked to a less active we were going to help, but she wasn't home.  Alright, so we went to a super awesome potential investigator we found there last week.  She wasn't home either.  Bummer.  Our plans had all fallen through, except finding.  So, we looked and looked.  We walked all over town and met nice people who wanted to talk to us, and people who didn't.  Overall, a lot of walking.  We were finishing up a street, and then I saw another street and decided we should just give those few houses a try, and what do you know?  The sweetest lady answered and let us in and made us lemonade.  Miracle.  I was so grateful to give my feet a rest and quench my thirst :)  Such a blessing!  We talked with her about books and reading and I shared with her my favorite book- The Book of Mormon.  (I totally thought of you when I said that dad :)  I remember you would always tell me that when I asked what your favorite book was).  How I love the Book of Mormon!! It is so wonderful!! :)  I know that it is true!  I was so grateful that I was able to share with that sweet lady such a treasure and she was glad to receive it :) 

Being a missionary is wonderful.  I just love it so much!  And love all you so much as well!! Have a great week!!

All my love,

Sister Bergeson :)