March 17th

Hola Familia 

Sounds like a great week for yall!!! Especially being able to take care of Abuelita, although it sounds like she was taking care of you guys. How funny! I like the pics in front of the Anderson´s house as well (I'm pretty sure it is the Anderson house) It looks like a great tourist spot for a photo with a giant cactus! WOW you all look happy esp in front of Portillo's. What a fun week you guys have had. Congrats to Josh Preston as well. Elder B, I like the pictures! Awesome for G____. What an awesome day! Ill be praying for O___ and B____. Keep Working hard! Dad, I was thinking about our trip too :) buenos recuerdos! Those were fun times and really strengthened my testimony to see the historic sites of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the early Saints of the Church. 

& To answer Karen´s Question- no they do not celebrate st patricks day. But crazy. I looked at the calendar this morning and it clicked that we are in March. If you think about the middle of September, we are experiencing the crisp weather change, so it doesn't feel like March at all. But I am more sure that the American-Made St Patrick's day falls into the drinking holiday along with Cinco de Mayo which the Mexicans don´t celebrate at all according to Hermana Salazar. We don't even have the delicious Lucky Charms. Cereal here isn´t the same, so that will be one thing that I will be excited for when I get back.

It was a really great week! Our investigator, R____ is progressing. She still doesn´t want to commit to baptism quite yet, (R__ J____) but we can see her testimony being strengthened. We constantly invite her to be baptized, and she doesn´t want to commit to be a member quite yet. .........but we have faith that it will be soon. We are being patient though. A few weeks ago I mentioned that we found a menos activo, A____ and his wife- We are teaching him and his family now. He has 3 children- 11 and 7ys old and a baby a few months old. We are teaching him and his family and it is really cool to see them accept the commitments we extend. They have been having family prayers all this week. The father of this less active is a counselor to the bishop and actively comes to church, but his wife is a less active who hasn´t come to church in years. This past Sunday, she came to church, and sat by her son, A____. The family of A____ (and his mom and dad) were in our Principios de Evangelio class. A____ and his wife P____ are not married, but we have taught them about the importance of marriage in order to be baptized and they don't have much against the idea. We can really see a desire for them to be baptized and know that they can legally marry soon. It was absolutely awesome to see this this past week! 

Other news is that I cut my hair again- Short. one of the sisters was able to do it for me. photo coming soon. I also have Florida winning it all. If you cant read the final score- 69-65 over Wichita. Do what you can with the bracket if you can't read it. lol

It would be nice if you could send some more glue ins. I am sure I can find someone who would like them! I was also wondering if it were possible to send a/some .2 pens to mark my scriptures with. A really really fine tip in a nice color or so. A few people have them in the mission and they are so awesome! only if you are able to find them though :)

The family that is in the picture is the familia Y____(from the other email) and the familia Ismail who are in our ward. We had a great family home evening yesterday, and to top it off, we had Completos! 

Sorry I don't have a scripture this week, Don't have them with me at the moment, but I will send something next week. I love you all and hope that you all have a great week!

Doctrine and Covenants 76:10, March 10th

Wow!!! How cool, I LOVE the letters and the events and everything that is going on back home. Sounds like everyone is doing well, Que Bakan that dad and K were able to meet Abuelita! Jajajaja. I can imagine that it was quite the reunion to meet her. I can also see her having her screensaver be a pic of my lil bro. It is hard not to fall in love with his personality and handsome charm, ha! & Congrats to (Elder) Richardson. It really is a small world!!! K- I am grateful for temples, too. The PHX temple is really making progress! Maybe I (and Elder B) will be home for the dedication? and thank you dad and k for the package! excited to receive it!!!
 

There isn´t much to report this week. Not too much has happened. One awesome thing is that we have been visiting a less active family, familia Y____, since we came to el Parque. The family has had a lot of problems within the last year or so where the dad had stopped going to church, and we have seen the decline in his wife and his two daughters in coming to church. We have been persistant in having the dad bring his family to church, and he finally did this past Sunday! He was also able to have an interview with the Bishop.- This family is so wonderful, so it was wonderful wonderful to see their family come back to church!

 

One of my favorite things to study, read, and understand include the mysteries of Godliness. The temple is the place where we can learn and understand more of this topic. We learn who we really are in the temple, who we were and who we can become. It is our relationship with our Heavenly Father that can illuminate our understanding as His spirit sons/daughters. 

 

I apologize for the short email. Little time. But I am so grateful to be here and love serving here. 

I hope all is well. 

 

Love you- Hna B

 I also included a píc of our  family, Figuaroa/Marin. Their family is one of our absolute favorites! When we came to the ward, Hna Figuaroa was MA, and over the past 7 mon we re-activated her. She lives with her son, Cesar, and Grandson, Daniel who recently returned from his mission. It was Daniel´s birthday this past Tuesday, so of course we celebrated. We count that as progress because Hna Figuaroa doesn´t celebrate birthdays. We call her as a Test. de Jehova (they don´t celebrate bdays).

We also had cambios. Well, we didn´t, but the other companionship did. Hermana Pérez left, So we took a picture of the four of us early in the morning. All 4 of us have been together for 7 mon. 

2 Nephi 2:25, March 3rd

Hola Familia-

I am happy to hear that everyone is doing well. That Karen was able to take Grandma and Grandpa on a vacation of a lifetime, that dad got to enjoy the Gilbert Temple dedication, y que Elder Berthelson estaba poniendo anuncios en Nashua esta semana (Elder B, todavía no puedo creer que esta en Nashua). Karen, I love the pictures! I don´t think I have seen that big of a smile on Grandma, I bet she was in heaven! And I'm sure that it was wonderful for the two of them to vacation together. K, you´re awesome!! And, I received a package from you this past week with cow tails and scripture glue ins! thank you so much! Hermana Salazar loves them and was so happy to receive them. She says thank  you and I think she is planning on sending something. 

 

This week has been a little crazy. We were able to do a lot with the members as well as an impromptu visit from a member of the 70, Elder Evans. It was awesome to hear from him. He talked about our objective as Missionaries and our finding efforts in teaching not only those who will accept the Restored Gospel, but teaching those who will help build the Kingdom of God. Although it was long, it was a powerful message.

   

Something I am grateful for is blessings. And for learning experiences. Did you know you shouldn't drink milk around lunchtime? After a long morning of traveling in the Micros/Metros of Santiago, and a bad decision to drink chocolate milk we arrived at a members house for lunch. I didn´t feel good at all, but Hermano Lepe was able to give me a blessing which helped me feel a lot better for the remainder of the day. Funny part is that there was a ward activity right after that, and everyone was concerned for me at church yeterday, haha. But I am fully recovered.

 

During the week, we were able to invite a member to have a lesson with us. Unfortunately, the appointment fell through and we weren´t able to have the lesson as planned, but the hermano was able to give us a name of a less active whom he hadn´t seen in years. We were in this apartment block for a good 45 minutes asking different families for a man named A___ G____. We looked until we were able to locate the section where the tenants had told us we could find him. After knocking on a few doors with no results, we were able to find him. He invited us in and we got to know him. He is the son of one of the members of the Bishopric that had left the church about 6 years ago, not for any specific reason. He said that we came at the right time because he had been praying for some help to come back to church. He is the only member of his family. His wife is not a member, and they have three kids. We invited them to church for this past Sunday, and both he and his wife were able to come! They were also able to bless their 3 month old baby. Unfortunately, his father (who he wanted to surprise) was on vacation, but he wants to surprise him this next week.- 

Hermana Ekins (from the other Companionship that I live with) let me read a talk that her father sent her. It was so cool, Explaining for of the Plan of Salvation in how we live within the basic laws of God. It explained more of the Fall, how it was necessary, what sin really is, who Satan is, and how Our Heavenly Father does not lie, nor go back on His words. I was able to understand more of why it was important. All in all, the whole talk falls back on this scripture, 2Nephi 2:25. We are here to have joy, and that is the reason for the plan.

 

I hope all is well and that you are able to have a wonderful week, I am praying for our friends and family. 

 

 

Love yall! 

 

 

 

an Elder I ran into at the conference! (keep in mind there were about 1,000 missionaries :) pretty cool, eh?

Elder Clayton Rackham

(Hermana B and Elder Rackham both were in the Parkway Ward, Milwaukee North Stake together) 

 

-- photo of a sunset on calle John Kennedy in my sector

Sister Jasmine Berthelson

Chile Santiago East Mission

Enos 1:4, February 24

Hooolaa

I hope all is well with everyone! We had a crazy week. First with an FHE that we did as a ward. We were in charge of the lesson and showed the mormon message of the light of Christ by Elder Bednar. 

 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1737858982001

 

 

It was great and a lot of people showed up in the end. We did Karoke and there are a few photos in the bunch of the members and our karaoke night. We were able to invite a few of our investigators as well. We also had divisions with the Temple Hermanas. So I got to work near the temple for a day. We were able to have a lesson with the Temple President, President Adler and his wife. It was different because we were able to have a lesson about marriage to a couple, D___ and L____ who both served missions, but were married civilly.  So we were able to teach them about being sealed in the temple. Crazy, because you´d think that with two return missionaries, it would be a priority to marry within the temple, but- ... it was pretty cool to have a lesson with the temple president. The good news is that they are planning on getting sealed in the Temple! And they made a plan with the Temple President to do a few things each day to strengthen their marriage. Unfortunately, I was only there for a day, but a few days after we went back with R____, our investigator that I´ve mentioned over the last few months. We took her to the temple with a recent convert, M____and her daughters. She was able to feel the spirit of the temple and told us she had never felt that way before. We have challenged her to be baptized a few times and has said it is not the time yet. I know that everything is in the timing of the Lord. We were able to have a NDH with her and the family of one of the Members- F___M___. It was really special because we talked about what it means to be spiritually converted in the Gospel. We made enchilladas again and I made K´s (coach amy´s) special ice-cream cake. They don't hvae cool whip, but I did my best. 

 

Continue to pray for R____ D____. We haven't been able to get in contact with her for about a week. Due to illness I assume, so unfortunately the time and requirements have passed for her to be baptized in the beginning of March. Its true that the adversary will come when we least expect it to. But again, it is all in the Lord´s timing. 

I was really able to study this chapter this week... hahaha short chapter. 

but I was really able to study it. It says that he wrestled with God in Prayer. Maybe we think, okay how, why or who would do such a thing, but when we think about our Heavenly Father and prayer, we should be able to tell Him everything. The good and the bad. It also says throughout that he first prayed for himself, next, the Nephites, and his bretheren the Lamanites. I have leaned the importance of having a relationship with my Heavenly Father through prayer. And like the scripture says- to have hunger and pray with power.

 Enos 1:4

 

I am praying for you all. Elder B, I hope that it isn´t cold and snowy for too much longer. I love you and hope everyone is doing well. A bunch of pics this week. oh... and we found these kids on the street. nachoooooo!

 

 

noche de hogar with ceasar marin, noche de hogar with the ward.

 

we did matching colors for church yesterday

 

R____ and us at the temple 

 

 

Acts 17:27

Hola Familia

Wow, sounds like yall had a good week! Alex in Nashua, and Karen and Dad in Phoenix w the Borrowmans. Very nice! I liked the pictures as well. ........

 

And Congratulations to Devin!! Wow! There are a few missionaries here from Salta, Argentina. Yep, Hermana Salazar got it! He sure will come back with a different accent haha- And I bet, Dad that you were living it up with your old comp and your mission president- What a cool experience! 

 

I told you last week about M____ and A____. We were able to have the recorrido (travel) with them in the temple. In the end, she was in tears and was able to feel the Spirit. Later in the week, a member was able to come and help her with her house and was able to give her sick grand-daughter, A____, a blessing and we took her to meet the president of the Relief Society. She doesn´t leave her house very often, but she took a few very big steps in letting us help her, especially with getting to know some of the members. We are close to getting her to come to church. We know it will happen soon! Also, Hermana Wright (Mission President's wife) was able to do divisions with us one day this week. We taught a part member family where the dad is not a member. We were never able to have a lesson with the family because the dad is always working, but we are going to start teaching him and the family this week :)

We were able to teach R____ a lot this week. Keep praying for her because it has been hard to get ahold of her for the past couple of days. We have constantly been trying to get in touch with her, but with little results recently. 

Not much else has been going on. The hermana that we have been working with for months- R____- was able to come to stake conference con su amiga de Peru- M____ A___who we have been teaching. She isn´t one for listening, but we have some crazy stories about her. The conference was nice and it was a broadcast. Elder Cook was able to give a talk as well as two members of the 70 and a counselor in the Primary. 

 

Look up this scripture-. I have a note that I made for myself this week that says FEEL AFTER HIM. The Spirit will guide us in knowing who our Heavenly Father is. And we are the ones that need to seek.. or feel after Him. Because He is very, very close.  Keep me updated with how everyone is doing.

 

......

A picture with Hermana Wright

 

 

 And a picture of our Stake Center, Javiera Carrer

 Marisol (blue shirt) with Anita and Alicia in the stroller

 Rosa and Maria Angelica

Moses 1:39

Hola Familia!!

We have had a pretty good week! First news is that we have a Baptisimal Date for one of our investigators: RD. She is absolutely the sweetest lady I have ever met- just all around sweet! She is super creative, not only a grandmother, but great-grandmother. She is so full of energy and loves children. She is single, but keeps herself busy with projects and things. We met her about 2 months ago when we passed by this house with a giant  Viejito Pascuero (Santa Clause). . but anyways, we passed by and took pictures (pic attatched) and upon entering, we asked if we could sing her a Christmas hymn. 

So we did, and we had had little luck getting in touch with her after that. But we were able to pass by her house a few weeks ago with a member. Since then we have had lessons with her and we were able to put a date for March 2nd. One of her daughters was baptized about 25 years ago, and so she understands what it means to be baptized and she is preparing. I ask that you can pray for her, so that she feels prepared. Our biggest challenge over the past few weeks/months is getting in touch with her. She is a busy lady! but we have stressed the importance of our message and the commitments we give her. 

 

Yes I am still in El Parque (answer to dad´s q) and I will be for at least another 4 weeks. But the mission is not known for doing changes very often-- at least during my time here. So It is pretty normal that I am still here with Hermana Salazar. But bright side of things, it has been the coolest thing to see changes in people. For example, there is a less active lady in our ward named M_____. She has three kids who are members of the church. All who live with her and are less active. It was a complete blessing to find her in the first place because we have asked so many members and we don't think they know that she exists. But anyways, she was completely against us coming by- this was in October. So over the past few months we have been visiting her. Slowly she came to warming up to us. None of the other missionaries were able to visit her, because she lives far behind a (sort-of) abandoned house, because she is single, and because she just doesn´t like people visiting her. But we have been working diligently with her. We invited her to read the Book of Mormon, something she hasn't done in over 15 years. Although we haven´t gotten her to come back to church, we invited her to do a temple tour. Hna G_____, her daughter A____, and her granddaughter are coming with us to the Temple this Wednesday. And with the challenge to read the BOM, yesterday she told us that she completed the first book of Nephi. How cool is that?!?!

 

Other than that we have been doing well. Yes, it is getting colder, but we are working hard. A lot of people are coming back from vacations, so it will be getting easier in the next couple of weeks. 

 

I have been studying a lot about our Potential to become like our Heavenly Father. It has really opened my eyes this week just how blessed we are because we have come to this Earth to come and to prove ourselves, but just with being on this Earth, we have the responsibility and privilege to be like Him already. I have studied almost all of the scriptures in the topical guide that says. - Man, Potential to become like our Heavenly Father. I have learned a lot with this scripture alone. 

Moses 1:39

 

Time has escaped me. I love you Dad, K, Elder B. I pray that you are doing well and that you find joy in the blessings of the Spirit this week... Especially with the Temple ;) love you

February 3rd, John 15:1-16

Hoolllaa familia-

To start on an easy topic, (the weather) there has been a slight cool down and we have been fortunate enough to get a little bit of breeze the past few days. Yes, like I explained in my last email, there is a large group of Chileans migrating down south for the summer. But we were still able to manage teaching and finding new investigators. 

It has been a very quick week. I apologize for the lack of words, but I don´t have very much time to write this week.

One of the cool things that happened this week was that we went to visit a part member family. We hadn´t visited them in a long time due to un-interest, unresolved issues with members, etc etc... But we went by the other day to see them before they left for vacation. The pareja, J__ and E____ and their only daughter were there. We were able to visit them and learn that their daughter has been having some issues with weird paranormal occurrences. But anyways, we were able to talk to her father who is the only member in the family and explain once again the importance of the priesthood and having Christ be the center of their home. He explained to us that he wanted to come back to church with his family. We visited this family when we first got to the sector and I believe I included a photo of us painting their house a while back....

More than anything, I am excited to hear all of the news! Glad both K and dad got to take a vacation. Excited for Devin too! good looking picture. I say England. Hermana Salazar says Argentina, we will see in a few weeks. Also pretty cool that Hal and Shela came down to do a pool down here. I am not in a rich sector, but a few times I have done divisions in those areas. I can believe it! 

lol annndd... I can´t believe i missed the Snow in BR! haha 

I'm grateful for all of the news in the ward. And thank you K! I got an envelope with the story of Grandpa Everett! It was really cool to read about his conversion esp from his perspective. What an awesome man. So glad I got to know him as well. Thank you for sending :)

Alex- espero q todo este bien contigo. esto y q recibiste mi paquete. sé que estás haciendo tu parte para traer las almas al Evangelio. Trabaje con fuerza y fe Élder B! Oro por tus investigadores y para q estás bien siempre. te ammooo.

If i could give you a scripture (o más) to read this week, I would tell you to read John 15:1-16... loved it. take what you can out of it. Love you all.  

Sister Jasmine Berthelson

Chile Santiago East Mission