Friends, Romans (well technically Americans), countrymen lend me your ear,
I hope you all had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend. We were blessed to have a baptism this weekend of Paula Cantillano. We were blessed beyond belief with a huge support from the ward for her baptism. In the past baptisms have been on Sundays- but we have been counselled to change this to Saturdays so that the investigator could then be confirmed the next day in Sacrament meeting, because of this we have had a rough time getting the ward culture to change to accept these Saturday baptisms. We have been working hard to serve the ward and been working on getting the know the ward members so they will be more willing and have more of a desire to support us and help us out; and this weekend we (I hope) saw a sign of things to come and that we will continue to have such a great support from the ward. Other than that I think that this week was just a normal week, it probably went by the fastest of all the weeks this transfer. Now on to Investigator Weekly:
Raul: Well... he was supposed to get baptized last weekend but... didn't happen. He was supposed to have his interview on Thursday. So we were waiting at the church with a member because we were going review some stuff before the interview but he didn't show up so we called him and he said he couldn't make it. We then asked him when he wanted to do his interview before Saturday and he said he didn't want to get baptized this weekend anymore. He wouldn't tell us why not but I have a feeling it was because of this wife. As I have said she doesn't like us or the church at all... it's a hard situation. We are going to keep working with him and we have some awesome members who are going to help us out, so I will keep y'all updated!
Blanca: She is a new and we have only had one lesson with her but she is pretty cool. She is from El Salvador and we found out that her cousins are members and one of her cousins even served a mission in Chile. She has a cute little 3 year old- Kevin- and she seems pretty honest which is always good. I think she will be pretty solid and I'm excited to keep working with her.
Sadly... that's about it for now. We have been working hard to find news but people just aren't there for their return appointments or they won't give us the time of day to sent up an appointment. We did find an inactive member this week that we are excited to work with and hopefully re-activate. We are also working with the members in our area and helping them learn and receive the full blessing of the Gospel, like working toward the temple and receiving their Patriarchal Blessings. We are also trying to edify them in our lessons and teaching them a little bit more in depth doctrine, which I love because it makes me want to study topics more too! Well that's about it for this week... I hope that everything this going well with y'all! I hope the Lord continues to bless you and your families. I know that families can be together forever and it brings me joy to be able to share that with people everyday- whether or not they accept it, want to learn more, or even listen, every time I bear testimony of that eternal truth my heart gets a little lighter. May the Lord bless you all.
Love always,
Sister Kelsey Berg
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Letters From Kelsey - 23
Howdy y'all,
Well I'm glad to report that the world didn't end in Texas last Saturday, just like I'm sure it didn't end in Utah or where ever this email finds you. Last weekend we had tons of people asking us if the world was going to end and what we thought about it. The funny thing was is that even though all these people were concerned with the end of the world it didn't make them any more interested in listening to our message. Funny the way that works isn't it. Last week was a little rough and we were blessed with cloudy weather on our bikes but I tell ya what- I would take 100 degree, clear skies, and sunny weather in Utah over 80 degree, cloudy, and humid weather in Texas any day. ha ha- I have never sweat so much in my life! I am very grateful though that the skies have been cloudy and we have had a cool breeze though- huge blessing. I can't believe that this is the last week of May, part of me feels like May has flown by and the other part feels like it has dragged on but we are going to end May with a bang and I am super excited! Now on to the Investigator Weekly:
Paula: She is getting BAPTIZED this weekend and I am SO excited for her! She is excited and super ready. She is already pretty much a member- after Sunday School and Relief Society she jumps right up and helps put the chairs away (because we are the last ward). She is already calling members to get ride to the Tuesday night activities and just goes and greets everyone when she gets to church like she has been a member for years. When ever I have hard days or days where nobody is home or wants to talk to us I try and remember people like Paula. I think back to a little under 2 months ago when we first met her outside her apartment and she turned down our date, and now here she is- a changed person who has seen the Gospel bless her life and her relationship with others.
Raul: I hope y'all remember Raul. He had moved from our ward but long story short, he didn't want to get baptized into Houston 9 so we got permission to teach and baptize him in Houston 2. He had gone MIA for about 2 weeks but came to church on Sunday and we talked to him and he said he wanted to get baptized this weekend so he is getting BAPTIZED too!! He has had a rough time recently because his wife doesn't like us or the church at all and doesn't like him going to church so he has had to pray a lot to find the strength to make the decision. He said that he has prayed and know he needs to get baptized even if it means his wife will divorce him, he trusts in the Lord and knows in his heart what he needs to do. Its difficult to see someone have to make a choice like this, but it makes me glad that as missionaries we aren't allowed to give people advice on what to do because I would not know what to tell him. He is excited for this weekend though and we have an appointment with him tonight to finish teaching him everything he needs to know before Saturday.
That's about it for now, we didn't get a chance to meet with Genesis last week- they weren't there for their appointment but we set one up for this week so we are hoping that things continue to progress with her. We have a pretty busy and full week ahead so we are hoping to fine some solid new investigators this week. OH! Good news! I found out this week that Jose & Carina from Houston 1 were baptized last weekend!!! I think they were married and baptized in the same day- kinda glad I wasn't there to try and organize that... my head was spinning on Sunday trying to get everything ready for this weekend, there is a lot more involved than I thought there was- especially if your ward mission leader drops the ball (which he has in the past- a lot).
Things are going good here though- there are days that are still really difficult and days where I really don't want to get back on that bike and ride in the humidity talking to people that aren't interested- but I do it and have (hopefully) become a better person because of it. Everyday the Lord blesses me with a little more spanish and understanding. We are two weeks away from transfers and I'm praying that I get sent to Galveston or out to the country- ha ha. Even in this short time on my mission I have come to understand the Atonement it ways I never did before. I have learned that because of the Atonement the Savior knows what I feel when I get that hole in my heart called homesickness. He knows what I feel when things change and my initial reaction is to resist the change. He knows when I feel overwhelmed and inadequate. I have come to learn to rely on Him and to ask Him to help lift these feelings and fill that hole in my heart. I have had those feelings lifted from me and have been given the strength I needed to bear those feelings. I am coming to learn that I (me specifically) am not needed out here to help people like Paula and Raul, any missionary can do that with the Spirit, I am needed out here to learn for myself all the things that I am trying to teach them- they are just blessings along the way. I thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers, letters, love and support. I hope you all have a fantastic and safe Memorial Day weekend. I love you all and hope that the Lord continues to bless you and your families.
Love always,
Sister Kelsey Berg
Note from Lindsey:
Kelsey's e-mail day has been changed. Now she will write e-mails and letters on Tuesdays, and thats also when she'll pick up her mail.
Well I'm glad to report that the world didn't end in Texas last Saturday, just like I'm sure it didn't end in Utah or where ever this email finds you. Last weekend we had tons of people asking us if the world was going to end and what we thought about it. The funny thing was is that even though all these people were concerned with the end of the world it didn't make them any more interested in listening to our message. Funny the way that works isn't it. Last week was a little rough and we were blessed with cloudy weather on our bikes but I tell ya what- I would take 100 degree, clear skies, and sunny weather in Utah over 80 degree, cloudy, and humid weather in Texas any day. ha ha- I have never sweat so much in my life! I am very grateful though that the skies have been cloudy and we have had a cool breeze though- huge blessing. I can't believe that this is the last week of May, part of me feels like May has flown by and the other part feels like it has dragged on but we are going to end May with a bang and I am super excited! Now on to the Investigator Weekly:
Paula: She is getting BAPTIZED this weekend and I am SO excited for her! She is excited and super ready. She is already pretty much a member- after Sunday School and Relief Society she jumps right up and helps put the chairs away (because we are the last ward). She is already calling members to get ride to the Tuesday night activities and just goes and greets everyone when she gets to church like she has been a member for years. When ever I have hard days or days where nobody is home or wants to talk to us I try and remember people like Paula. I think back to a little under 2 months ago when we first met her outside her apartment and she turned down our date, and now here she is- a changed person who has seen the Gospel bless her life and her relationship with others.
Raul: I hope y'all remember Raul. He had moved from our ward but long story short, he didn't want to get baptized into Houston 9 so we got permission to teach and baptize him in Houston 2. He had gone MIA for about 2 weeks but came to church on Sunday and we talked to him and he said he wanted to get baptized this weekend so he is getting BAPTIZED too!! He has had a rough time recently because his wife doesn't like us or the church at all and doesn't like him going to church so he has had to pray a lot to find the strength to make the decision. He said that he has prayed and know he needs to get baptized even if it means his wife will divorce him, he trusts in the Lord and knows in his heart what he needs to do. Its difficult to see someone have to make a choice like this, but it makes me glad that as missionaries we aren't allowed to give people advice on what to do because I would not know what to tell him. He is excited for this weekend though and we have an appointment with him tonight to finish teaching him everything he needs to know before Saturday.
That's about it for now, we didn't get a chance to meet with Genesis last week- they weren't there for their appointment but we set one up for this week so we are hoping that things continue to progress with her. We have a pretty busy and full week ahead so we are hoping to fine some solid new investigators this week. OH! Good news! I found out this week that Jose & Carina from Houston 1 were baptized last weekend!!! I think they were married and baptized in the same day- kinda glad I wasn't there to try and organize that... my head was spinning on Sunday trying to get everything ready for this weekend, there is a lot more involved than I thought there was- especially if your ward mission leader drops the ball (which he has in the past- a lot).
Things are going good here though- there are days that are still really difficult and days where I really don't want to get back on that bike and ride in the humidity talking to people that aren't interested- but I do it and have (hopefully) become a better person because of it. Everyday the Lord blesses me with a little more spanish and understanding. We are two weeks away from transfers and I'm praying that I get sent to Galveston or out to the country- ha ha. Even in this short time on my mission I have come to understand the Atonement it ways I never did before. I have learned that because of the Atonement the Savior knows what I feel when I get that hole in my heart called homesickness. He knows what I feel when things change and my initial reaction is to resist the change. He knows when I feel overwhelmed and inadequate. I have come to learn to rely on Him and to ask Him to help lift these feelings and fill that hole in my heart. I have had those feelings lifted from me and have been given the strength I needed to bear those feelings. I am coming to learn that I (me specifically) am not needed out here to help people like Paula and Raul, any missionary can do that with the Spirit, I am needed out here to learn for myself all the things that I am trying to teach them- they are just blessings along the way. I thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers, letters, love and support. I hope you all have a fantastic and safe Memorial Day weekend. I love you all and hope that the Lord continues to bless you and your families.
Love always,
Sister Kelsey Berg
Note from Lindsey:
Kelsey's e-mail day has been changed. Now she will write e-mails and letters on Tuesdays, and thats also when she'll pick up her mail.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Letters from Kelsey - 22
Howdy y'all,
Well this last week was SUPER long and I have no idea why! Its not like we had anything bad happen or any long days or anything like that- the days went by fast but the week was slow. Anyway... it was good though we met some new investigators that I am really excited about, which is the cause of the title for this week's email. Now Investigator Weekly time!
Paula: She has completely quit drinking coffee. Her daughter complained to her this week about there not being any coffee in the house and Paula kinda said tough luck because she wasn't going to buy anymore coffee! She also went to the Relief Society activity this week which she loved and we loved because she got to know more women in the ward. (In the wards here they have Relief Society activities every week because when the kids come to mutual and scouts the whole family brings them so they have Primary activities every week also!) Her date is the 28th of May and she is excited and so are we!
Genesis: She is 17 and we met her through her Mom- who we OYMed sitting on their porch. The mom- Gladis- gave us a return appointment because Genesis has a friend who is a member who has always been a good example to her and has stood up for her beliefs. Genesis came to church yesterday with that friend who used to live in Houston 2 ward but now lives on the East side of Houston. She was super excited when we gave her a Book of Mormon and I am super excited to keep teaching her and see where it goes. Gladis also seemed pretty interested but she didn't come to church yesterday but I'm looking forward to seeing where they progress. They have baptismal dates for June 4th so we will see!!
Genesis is the reason for the title of this weeks email, because her friend was a good example and stood up for her beliefs (like not going to the mall on Sunday when everyone else was going) Genesis was more eager to listen to us and find out more! Her friend has even talked to her a little about the Church so she is excited to learn more and to get involved with Young Women's. Sometimes we think that "being a good example" is not really an effective tool or a way that we can share the Gospel but it is. I read a great quote recently while reading an article in an old Ensign: "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words". I am thankful that this young woman of the Church was a good example to her friend and used her example to share the Gospel because now as a missionary I am seeing the blessings of this and having the opportunity to teach someone who is super excited to learn more. She has already started reading the Book of Mormon and believes she will receive an answer! Who knows how many other people have been effected by this young woman's example. Of course I say all this as I am seeing the results of this as a missionary but you never know what will come from being a good example.
I hope this email finds you all in good health and in good circumstances. I thank you all for your love, support, letters, and examples to me. I love you all and hope that the Lord continues to bless you and your families!
Love Always,
Sister Kelsey Berg
Well this last week was SUPER long and I have no idea why! Its not like we had anything bad happen or any long days or anything like that- the days went by fast but the week was slow. Anyway... it was good though we met some new investigators that I am really excited about, which is the cause of the title for this week's email. Now Investigator Weekly time!
Paula: She has completely quit drinking coffee. Her daughter complained to her this week about there not being any coffee in the house and Paula kinda said tough luck because she wasn't going to buy anymore coffee! She also went to the Relief Society activity this week which she loved and we loved because she got to know more women in the ward. (In the wards here they have Relief Society activities every week because when the kids come to mutual and scouts the whole family brings them so they have Primary activities every week also!) Her date is the 28th of May and she is excited and so are we!
Genesis: She is 17 and we met her through her Mom- who we OYMed sitting on their porch. The mom- Gladis- gave us a return appointment because Genesis has a friend who is a member who has always been a good example to her and has stood up for her beliefs. Genesis came to church yesterday with that friend who used to live in Houston 2 ward but now lives on the East side of Houston. She was super excited when we gave her a Book of Mormon and I am super excited to keep teaching her and see where it goes. Gladis also seemed pretty interested but she didn't come to church yesterday but I'm looking forward to seeing where they progress. They have baptismal dates for June 4th so we will see!!
Genesis is the reason for the title of this weeks email, because her friend was a good example and stood up for her beliefs (like not going to the mall on Sunday when everyone else was going) Genesis was more eager to listen to us and find out more! Her friend has even talked to her a little about the Church so she is excited to learn more and to get involved with Young Women's. Sometimes we think that "being a good example" is not really an effective tool or a way that we can share the Gospel but it is. I read a great quote recently while reading an article in an old Ensign: "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words". I am thankful that this young woman of the Church was a good example to her friend and used her example to share the Gospel because now as a missionary I am seeing the blessings of this and having the opportunity to teach someone who is super excited to learn more. She has already started reading the Book of Mormon and believes she will receive an answer! Who knows how many other people have been effected by this young woman's example. Of course I say all this as I am seeing the results of this as a missionary but you never know what will come from being a good example.
I hope this email finds you all in good health and in good circumstances. I thank you all for your love, support, letters, and examples to me. I love you all and hope that the Lord continues to bless you and your families!
Love Always,
Sister Kelsey Berg
Monday, May 9, 2011
Letters from Kelsey - 21
Well hello there!
First of all I hope y'all had a fantastic weekend and that y'all were super nice to all of the women in your life!! I want to thank you all for being such a great example to me and such a strong force for good and a bright ray of light in this darkening world. Happy belated Mother's Day!!
Well last week was transfers and I am in the same area but now we are a bike area which means no car... we ride bikes all day... in the hot, humid weather... all day... everywhere...(except for P-day)... ha ha. I'm just playin' its not that bad, it is really hot and hard sometimes when we have to figure out what to do with an extra 30 min if someone isn't there for their appointment and our next appointment is in the same area so we can't really go anywhere. So my new companion is Hermana Julia Ruplinger from Orem. She is only a transfer older than I am so we are pretty green still and not a lot of Spanish understanding between us which might get a little rough. We get along really well though and we will be using our sense of humor a lot this transfer to go crazy and take ourselves too seriously. This week was kinda hard though because when we had weekly planning on Thursday I had the whole weight of the transfer on my shoulders. We are at a rough time in the area where we don't have a lot of progressing or really a lot of appointments so I had the weight of all that and having to take over the area. I will be honest and I have never been so close to calling President Saylin and throwing in the towel as I was on Thursday- that was really a rough day, but just like everything that day and feelings passed and I have been blessed to not feel that anymore and have a more 'eternal perspective' for this transfer. For two greenie missionaries who are trying to learn a new language and want to do their best it has been a difficult week, but we will work hard and be obedient and have hope and trust in the Lord that everything that's supposed to happen will and will that trust this transfer will be what its supposed to be.
Now on to a very short Investigator Weekly:
Paula: We had a lesson this week and she is still struggling a little with coffee but she hasn't bought anymore and is trying to find things to replace it. Her date is for this weekend but I'm not sure if she will get baptized this weekend or next. We went over the interview questions on Saturday and she hesitated on a couple things that we need to go over, and when we asked her if she was ready to be baptized this weekend she hesitated a little too.We told her to pray and ask Heavenly Father if He thinks she is ready to get baptized so we will see what she says when we stop by tonight. Hopefully it will be a good email next week with her getting baptized but I have a feeling that next Saturday is her day. She is solid though and is trying really hard to give up coffee, which she will and then she will enter into the waters of baptism before the month is out.
Francis: She has been taught everything but hasn't come to church lately. I think we might give her a break for a couple weeks and then try again to see if she keeps reading without us pushing her and see if her desire to change is stronger in a couple weeks. I don't know, we are gonna pray about it and see what to do next because I'm at a lost.
That's it for the Investigator Weekly this week... kinda short I know... we will try and work on it and hopefully we will have more next week. I decided that I don't like taking over an area and that this might be a trying transfer but I know we can do it. As my Dad said last night when I talked to them (yes Dad I do listen to you ;) ) "Sometimes you need to be thrown in the deep end to learn how to swim". We will just rely on the Lord and put our trust in Him that He knows what He was doing with two green missionaries together. I hope this email finds you all well and that you all know that I have a testimony and that even though there are some really hard days on the mission and sometimes I wonder why I put myself through these struggles I am getting better everyday and I know that its through the tough times that we learn the most. I am learning to be patient with myself and accepting my inadequacies and hopefully letting the Lord mold me into the person He wants me to be. I love you all and thank you all for your continued love, support, and letters! May the Lord continue to bless you and your families!
Love always,
Sister Kelsey Berg
Texas Houston South Mission
602 Eldridge Road
Sugar Land, TX 77478
First of all I hope y'all had a fantastic weekend and that y'all were super nice to all of the women in your life!! I want to thank you all for being such a great example to me and such a strong force for good and a bright ray of light in this darkening world. Happy belated Mother's Day!!
Well last week was transfers and I am in the same area but now we are a bike area which means no car... we ride bikes all day... in the hot, humid weather... all day... everywhere...(except for P-day)... ha ha. I'm just playin' its not that bad, it is really hot and hard sometimes when we have to figure out what to do with an extra 30 min if someone isn't there for their appointment and our next appointment is in the same area so we can't really go anywhere. So my new companion is Hermana Julia Ruplinger from Orem. She is only a transfer older than I am so we are pretty green still and not a lot of Spanish understanding between us which might get a little rough. We get along really well though and we will be using our sense of humor a lot this transfer to go crazy and take ourselves too seriously. This week was kinda hard though because when we had weekly planning on Thursday I had the whole weight of the transfer on my shoulders. We are at a rough time in the area where we don't have a lot of progressing or really a lot of appointments so I had the weight of all that and having to take over the area. I will be honest and I have never been so close to calling President Saylin and throwing in the towel as I was on Thursday- that was really a rough day, but just like everything that day and feelings passed and I have been blessed to not feel that anymore and have a more 'eternal perspective' for this transfer. For two greenie missionaries who are trying to learn a new language and want to do their best it has been a difficult week, but we will work hard and be obedient and have hope and trust in the Lord that everything that's supposed to happen will and will that trust this transfer will be what its supposed to be.
Now on to a very short Investigator Weekly:
Paula: We had a lesson this week and she is still struggling a little with coffee but she hasn't bought anymore and is trying to find things to replace it. Her date is for this weekend but I'm not sure if she will get baptized this weekend or next. We went over the interview questions on Saturday and she hesitated on a couple things that we need to go over, and when we asked her if she was ready to be baptized this weekend she hesitated a little too.We told her to pray and ask Heavenly Father if He thinks she is ready to get baptized so we will see what she says when we stop by tonight. Hopefully it will be a good email next week with her getting baptized but I have a feeling that next Saturday is her day. She is solid though and is trying really hard to give up coffee, which she will and then she will enter into the waters of baptism before the month is out.
Francis: She has been taught everything but hasn't come to church lately. I think we might give her a break for a couple weeks and then try again to see if she keeps reading without us pushing her and see if her desire to change is stronger in a couple weeks. I don't know, we are gonna pray about it and see what to do next because I'm at a lost.
That's it for the Investigator Weekly this week... kinda short I know... we will try and work on it and hopefully we will have more next week. I decided that I don't like taking over an area and that this might be a trying transfer but I know we can do it. As my Dad said last night when I talked to them (yes Dad I do listen to you ;) ) "Sometimes you need to be thrown in the deep end to learn how to swim". We will just rely on the Lord and put our trust in Him that He knows what He was doing with two green missionaries together. I hope this email finds you all well and that you all know that I have a testimony and that even though there are some really hard days on the mission and sometimes I wonder why I put myself through these struggles I am getting better everyday and I know that its through the tough times that we learn the most. I am learning to be patient with myself and accepting my inadequacies and hopefully letting the Lord mold me into the person He wants me to be. I love you all and thank you all for your continued love, support, and letters! May the Lord continue to bless you and your families!
Love always,
Sister Kelsey Berg
Texas Houston South Mission
602 Eldridge Road
Sugar Land, TX 77478
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