Well, here I am loving my life. I thought that the mission just couldn´t get better...and well it has. I thought I couldn´t get any happier...and well, I am.
Thank you for your letters this week. I had heard that there were tornadoes in the Midwest, but I had no idea how big and how close to home. I am very glad that everyone is ok.
I am loving working in Villarrica. This sector is so special...especially the ward. I feel great love for this ward already. We are, however, very much in the preparatory stage right now. We are really working on finding people to teach that are really going to progress. We are trying to really work with the members so that we get references. We are starting to have a Mormon Movie Night every other Saturday, so that they can invite their friends and we can help investigators get to know the members. This week we watched Mountain of the Lord. I felt the Spirit very strong...a great spirit of gratitude to the pioneers that built that. Our eternal family just happens to be a result of that 40 years of sweat and tears.
As far as the work goes, we are trying to get everyone to Church. We have one young woman that is just amazing. She is 14 and she comes to church every week. She wants to be baptized, but hasn´t been able to get permission from her dad for over 2 years. This Sunday, we invited the youth group here to fast with us next week in behalf of her, so that she will be able to get permission to be baptized. I think it will be a great experience for her and the youth, because I think that very few of them have ever fasted before. It will teach them something very special and I know that we will be seeing some miracles. Please pray for her. She´s way special.
Well, if you´re wondering why the subject line is written in code...you might just be happy to know that my companion really came through in the nickname factor. PURE INSPIRATION. So remember that I said she´s the real life version of Marissa Cooper...but much much, much more wholesome and pure. Well, anyway...I call her Coop. She felt bad that she didn´t have as cool of a nickname for me, until one day, it hit her and she said to me, "talk to me...GOOSE! Goose! You´re Goose! Like from Top Gun!"....Let me just say, I am honored. So now we are known, amongst at least the two of us, and now you all, as the Goose Coop. (Like chicken coop, but of geese). Ok, so she and I are cracking up about this right now, as I hope that maybe you are too, but if not, you just have to be here. Oh, the joys of having a compi in the mission that at the same time is your best friend. We laugh lots together.
Well, again this is a short letter...sorry. Time just really flies while I am in Internet. Pictures next week!
I LOVE YOU ALL A LOT!!!!!!!!! Be good. Read and pray every day. Don´t forget to do the small stuff....it´s the most important.
-Love you.
Hermana Bertagnole
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Janelle's May 24 email
May 24, 2011
From the beautiful beach of Villarrica
Hey family,
Got transferred.
Somehow, I have managed to be in the prettiest sectors of the whole mission...my whole mission. Suerte. President must like me or something :) Villarrica is just GORGEOUS. It´s built at the base of a volcano and there is a huge beach from a beautiful mountain surrounded lake. Wow. And I get to work this sector every day. There is a lot of touristy stuff here, but being as it is winter, there aren´t that many tourists. Gosh. You all are just going to die when you see this place.
Well, there isn´t much time to write, but I am just happy as a peach. I am not going to lie though, it was a hard goodbye to Osorno for me. I think it was some of the hardest goodbyes for me my whole mission. I just can´t believe the love that some of these people have there. I was given some very beautiful recuerdos from some of my very special investigators.(I´ll show you sometime, and probably bawl as I do it). I can´t believe these people´s generosity. What an honor to know them and share these miracles with them.
Best news of all, though, is that Roddy´s baptism was just exceptional. The baptism was combined with a baptism of the elders from another ward. We had it in the Stake Center. Over a 100 people came. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Almost our whole ward showed up. And even President and Hermana Lovell came. President gave the closing remarks, and he called it a "perfect baptism". He thanked the members for being so supportive, and he gave them the call to help them progress. It was so great. So powerful.
Here in Villarrica, things have been struggling in the work quite a bit it seems like, but we have seen some great progress already in just a few days. We have found 7 new people to teach, including 1 part member family. The work is beautiful. I am loving more than anything, working with Hermana Gebara. She is just spectacular!!!!!!!! We are already best friends. And making plans to remain that way after the mission. For all my O.C. loving friends out there...she is basically Marissa Cooper. Hahaha. She is from So. California. and beautiful. We are hitting it off great. I love her tons! I call her "Coop". Jajajaja.
Well that is all I got for now. Sorry it´s so short, but I gotta run. I ´ll write more next week. LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Hermana Bertagnole
From the beautiful beach of Villarrica
Hey family,
Got transferred.
Somehow, I have managed to be in the prettiest sectors of the whole mission...my whole mission. Suerte. President must like me or something :) Villarrica is just GORGEOUS. It´s built at the base of a volcano and there is a huge beach from a beautiful mountain surrounded lake. Wow. And I get to work this sector every day. There is a lot of touristy stuff here, but being as it is winter, there aren´t that many tourists. Gosh. You all are just going to die when you see this place.
Well, there isn´t much time to write, but I am just happy as a peach. I am not going to lie though, it was a hard goodbye to Osorno for me. I think it was some of the hardest goodbyes for me my whole mission. I just can´t believe the love that some of these people have there. I was given some very beautiful recuerdos from some of my very special investigators.(I´ll show you sometime, and probably bawl as I do it). I can´t believe these people´s generosity. What an honor to know them and share these miracles with them.
Best news of all, though, is that Roddy´s baptism was just exceptional. The baptism was combined with a baptism of the elders from another ward. We had it in the Stake Center. Over a 100 people came. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Almost our whole ward showed up. And even President and Hermana Lovell came. President gave the closing remarks, and he called it a "perfect baptism". He thanked the members for being so supportive, and he gave them the call to help them progress. It was so great. So powerful.
Here in Villarrica, things have been struggling in the work quite a bit it seems like, but we have seen some great progress already in just a few days. We have found 7 new people to teach, including 1 part member family. The work is beautiful. I am loving more than anything, working with Hermana Gebara. She is just spectacular!!!!!!!! We are already best friends. And making plans to remain that way after the mission. For all my O.C. loving friends out there...she is basically Marissa Cooper. Hahaha. She is from So. California. and beautiful. We are hitting it off great. I love her tons! I call her "Coop". Jajajaja.
Well that is all I got for now. Sorry it´s so short, but I gotta run. I ´ll write more next week. LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Hermana Bertagnole
Janelle's May 14 email
Hello family!
SO good to talk to you this week. What a blessing!
Well, I thank you for your letters. I am glad that everyone had a great time in N. Carolina....looked great. Who´s up for a return visit in October? :) By the way, Mikey, my comps are impressed that you have your own jet plane :) CONGRATS!
I was so shocked and sad to hear about Aunt Sarah. But I had an instant realization that the Gospel cures all pain and that Jesus Christ conquers the pain of death. I realize how grateful I am for the Gospel. Dad´s family has seen many hard experiences like this recently, but I know that because we all have the Gospel present in our lives, I know that they´ll be fine. They are well watched over, and well taken care of. I know that our Father in Heaven is taking them by the hand and guiding them through this rough patch. I am grateful for the restored Priesthood that makes it possible that we can be together forever. My testimony of this grows every day. Send them my love, and let them know that they are in my prayers.
This week´s letter is going to have to be a shorter one. This Pday is loco...it´s the last pday of the cambios...I have a hunch that I might be getting transferred, so there are a ton of errands to run. Also, tonight we have Roddy´s baptism!!!!!! So we are running around getting errands done for that. Pray for us that it all goes well!
Roddy will be getting baptized tonight. I´ll send you all pictures next week. I love you all so much. Keep them smiles, even when it might be a little harder than normal. I love you. Be good, and remember what´s important.
-Hermana Bertagnole.
SO good to talk to you this week. What a blessing!
Well, I thank you for your letters. I am glad that everyone had a great time in N. Carolina....looked great. Who´s up for a return visit in October? :) By the way, Mikey, my comps are impressed that you have your own jet plane :) CONGRATS!
I was so shocked and sad to hear about Aunt Sarah. But I had an instant realization that the Gospel cures all pain and that Jesus Christ conquers the pain of death. I realize how grateful I am for the Gospel. Dad´s family has seen many hard experiences like this recently, but I know that because we all have the Gospel present in our lives, I know that they´ll be fine. They are well watched over, and well taken care of. I know that our Father in Heaven is taking them by the hand and guiding them through this rough patch. I am grateful for the restored Priesthood that makes it possible that we can be together forever. My testimony of this grows every day. Send them my love, and let them know that they are in my prayers.
This week´s letter is going to have to be a shorter one. This Pday is loco...it´s the last pday of the cambios...I have a hunch that I might be getting transferred, so there are a ton of errands to run. Also, tonight we have Roddy´s baptism!!!!!! So we are running around getting errands done for that. Pray for us that it all goes well!
Roddy will be getting baptized tonight. I´ll send you all pictures next week. I love you all so much. Keep them smiles, even when it might be a little harder than normal. I love you. Be good, and remember what´s important.
-Hermana Bertagnole.
Monday, May 2, 2011
April 30, 2011
Hey family:
It´s good to hear that all is well.
Well, before I forget, we need to get the MOTHER´S DAY PHONE CALL (!!!!!!!) sorted out...p.s. I am so excited! The time zone will be changing here on the 7th of May, and you all can call on the 8th, but I am not exactly sure what the time difference will be. I am pretty sure that the hour is going to move forward an hour on the 7th. The plan right now between us three hermanas right now is that you all can call on the 8th (Sunday) at 7:00pm in Chile...now, what time that is in Kansas, I have no idea...sorry. You´ll have to do the math. But if there is a problem with that schedule, let me know por FAVOR! :) I wanna talk :)
Well, that´s that. On to the BIG news this week! We had some great miracles this week. One of our investigators that was waiting answers to his prayers, got them, and is preparing for a baptism the 14th of May!!!!!!! I am so excited! He said that he received answers to his prayers as he was following the word of wisdom. He went out this week with some friend and they offered him alcohol, and he drank juice instead. He said it was that night that his eyes were opened in the difference between those that live the Gospel, and those that don´t. He said he went home so happy. That night he said as he reread the Word of Wisdom pamphlet, he said he felt it was true, and then he felt a mini earthquake (they call them temblors). Hahah. He said that only confirmed it. Haha. He is really progressing well. He will be fasting this week with us, and I know that he will be a very faithful member. We are starting to teach his mom and sister, little by little. They are also really great.
Also, we have had some great references this week from members. One in specific is a younger woman who is the fiancé of a menos activo in the ward. She is really going to be progressing quickly. I can tell. She has come to church last week and will be coming this week too. She is just so great. She cried in the lesson about the Restoration. She said that she has felt the confusion just like Joseph Smith. She said that we can’t teach her in her house because of other family members, but we got to teach in the house of the members, and I think that made the spirit even stronger. Blessings in disguise.
Also this week our ex-testigo investigator told us that she wants to be baptized (!!!!!!!!!!) and be an active part of the church!! SUCH a big step for her. As a companionship we gave them a Hymnal, and then I gave her a set of scriptures ...she cried. She said "Que cosa mas bonita...". She said that she has been needing a lot of this lately. I look up to her a lot. She is a very strong and faithful woman. Love this family.
I am so, so, so happy to see the progress that has been happening in this sector. It seems that so much has all come together this week.
We feel very blessed. We are very happy.
We are still working on maintaining the unity in the companionship. Everything is a lot different in a trio than in a duo....but I like it a lot. I can feel the work progressing. We are doing lots of divisions with the hermanas, and it helps them get excited for the work as well, so it´s been great.
Well, that´s it for this week. I love you guys tons. Please pray for our investigators. They need the prayers so much.
(p.s. I found out that our investigator from Punta Arenas, the one that was atheist, just got baptized this last weekend. How cool is that?! I love the mission.)
LOVE YOU!!!!!
-Hermana Bertagnole
Hey family:
It´s good to hear that all is well.
Well, before I forget, we need to get the MOTHER´S DAY PHONE CALL (!!!!!!!) sorted out...p.s. I am so excited! The time zone will be changing here on the 7th of May, and you all can call on the 8th, but I am not exactly sure what the time difference will be. I am pretty sure that the hour is going to move forward an hour on the 7th. The plan right now between us three hermanas right now is that you all can call on the 8th (Sunday) at 7:00pm in Chile...now, what time that is in Kansas, I have no idea...sorry. You´ll have to do the math. But if there is a problem with that schedule, let me know por FAVOR! :) I wanna talk :)
Well, that´s that. On to the BIG news this week! We had some great miracles this week. One of our investigators that was waiting answers to his prayers, got them, and is preparing for a baptism the 14th of May!!!!!!! I am so excited! He said that he received answers to his prayers as he was following the word of wisdom. He went out this week with some friend and they offered him alcohol, and he drank juice instead. He said it was that night that his eyes were opened in the difference between those that live the Gospel, and those that don´t. He said he went home so happy. That night he said as he reread the Word of Wisdom pamphlet, he said he felt it was true, and then he felt a mini earthquake (they call them temblors). Hahah. He said that only confirmed it. Haha. He is really progressing well. He will be fasting this week with us, and I know that he will be a very faithful member. We are starting to teach his mom and sister, little by little. They are also really great.
Also, we have had some great references this week from members. One in specific is a younger woman who is the fiancé of a menos activo in the ward. She is really going to be progressing quickly. I can tell. She has come to church last week and will be coming this week too. She is just so great. She cried in the lesson about the Restoration. She said that she has felt the confusion just like Joseph Smith. She said that we can’t teach her in her house because of other family members, but we got to teach in the house of the members, and I think that made the spirit even stronger. Blessings in disguise.
Also this week our ex-testigo investigator told us that she wants to be baptized (!!!!!!!!!!) and be an active part of the church!! SUCH a big step for her. As a companionship we gave them a Hymnal, and then I gave her a set of scriptures ...she cried. She said "Que cosa mas bonita...". She said that she has been needing a lot of this lately. I look up to her a lot. She is a very strong and faithful woman. Love this family.
I am so, so, so happy to see the progress that has been happening in this sector. It seems that so much has all come together this week.
We feel very blessed. We are very happy.
We are still working on maintaining the unity in the companionship. Everything is a lot different in a trio than in a duo....but I like it a lot. I can feel the work progressing. We are doing lots of divisions with the hermanas, and it helps them get excited for the work as well, so it´s been great.
Well, that´s it for this week. I love you guys tons. Please pray for our investigators. They need the prayers so much.
(p.s. I found out that our investigator from Punta Arenas, the one that was atheist, just got baptized this last weekend. How cool is that?! I love the mission.)
LOVE YOU!!!!!
-Hermana Bertagnole
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Janelle's April 25 letter
Hey FAM!
This week was a good (and crazy) one. First of all, another belated birthday to Momma. I always remember the birthdays, but after it´s already too late to write. Ugh. Sorry...but at least I remember. I love you, and I hope that it was a special birthday. Also congrats on the graduation Scott Rob! That´s a big step. Atta boy! WHAAAAHOOOOOO! Thanks for the pictures. You looked hot in you graduation robe....keep wearing it around campus and you´ll be hitched in no time ;) Hahaha, muy bien.
Well, also I hope that everyone´s Easter was great. The Easter bunny came to our house, and I must admit that she hid the eggs very much like she hides them in Kansas :)
I guess I had better explain why the letter is late...this Saturday we spent the whole p-day in a little pueblo called Llanquihue...the senior missionaries bought a house there a few years ago, and it is beautiful, so we went there to play for the day. It was way fun, but because we were there all day long, we have to write today.
This week we had our last interviews with President Lovell ... he leaves in the 1st of July, but the way that the interviews fall, these were the last. It makes me so sad seeing him leave the mission, but at least I´ll get to see him and visit him and Hermana Lovell after the mission up in Heber. They are both so great. They´ve become like my family in the mission. I´ve laughed and I´ve cried with them, and I´m just going to miss them a lot.
We had a good week, even though maybe the numbers don´t show it. With the rain and everything it was a little bit tougher to get the members to come out with us, but sometimes the best things happen in the worst weather. We saw some miracles, including one of the investigators that came with us to conference (the guy who has read almost all of the Book of Mormon) accepted a baptismal date yesterday. We are really excited for him. I know that this is something that he has been prepared to receive. I pray that he will make this a priority in his life.
The other young man that we have been teaching is also receiving answers to his prayers, and hasn´t missed a week of church since the conference. For this, he is progressing so quickly. We hope to invite him to be baptized again tonight. I think he will be more prepared to accept it now that he has recognized that he has been receiving answers.
PLEASE PRAY LOTS FOR THEM BOTH!!!!!!!!
I am so grateful for the power of prayer. I feel that sometimes I personally don´t use it as much as I should or can. I am trying to repent of that and become better. I know that my Father will hear me and answer my prayers, it´s just a matter of having the faith sufficient and the humility to ask.
I love being a missionary. With this cambio being over half over already (they go faster every time), I am still just really trying to focus on loving it ALL. Living with a smile is so valuable, and it´s my goal. I feel happy and I feel the Spirit much more when I do. As Jimmy always used to say (and still does)..."gotta keep showin´ them teef."
I love my companions. We really have a great time together. We laugh lots, love lots, pray lots, and work lots. Perfect.
I love this work. It is so beautiful...and I just can´t say it enough.
Well, I hope that you all have a safe rest of your trip. I love you all tons. And I pray for you lots. Last calls on requests for souvenirs...(Eric, I need your shirt size for the jersey...and what kind you want if you have a preference.)
I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOOOO MUCH!
-Hermana Bertagnole
This week was a good (and crazy) one. First of all, another belated birthday to Momma. I always remember the birthdays, but after it´s already too late to write. Ugh. Sorry...but at least I remember. I love you, and I hope that it was a special birthday. Also congrats on the graduation Scott Rob! That´s a big step. Atta boy! WHAAAAHOOOOOO! Thanks for the pictures. You looked hot in you graduation robe....keep wearing it around campus and you´ll be hitched in no time ;) Hahaha, muy bien.
Well, also I hope that everyone´s Easter was great. The Easter bunny came to our house, and I must admit that she hid the eggs very much like she hides them in Kansas :)
I guess I had better explain why the letter is late...this Saturday we spent the whole p-day in a little pueblo called Llanquihue...the senior missionaries bought a house there a few years ago, and it is beautiful, so we went there to play for the day. It was way fun, but because we were there all day long, we have to write today.
This week we had our last interviews with President Lovell ... he leaves in the 1st of July, but the way that the interviews fall, these were the last. It makes me so sad seeing him leave the mission, but at least I´ll get to see him and visit him and Hermana Lovell after the mission up in Heber. They are both so great. They´ve become like my family in the mission. I´ve laughed and I´ve cried with them, and I´m just going to miss them a lot.
We had a good week, even though maybe the numbers don´t show it. With the rain and everything it was a little bit tougher to get the members to come out with us, but sometimes the best things happen in the worst weather. We saw some miracles, including one of the investigators that came with us to conference (the guy who has read almost all of the Book of Mormon) accepted a baptismal date yesterday. We are really excited for him. I know that this is something that he has been prepared to receive. I pray that he will make this a priority in his life.
The other young man that we have been teaching is also receiving answers to his prayers, and hasn´t missed a week of church since the conference. For this, he is progressing so quickly. We hope to invite him to be baptized again tonight. I think he will be more prepared to accept it now that he has recognized that he has been receiving answers.
PLEASE PRAY LOTS FOR THEM BOTH!!!!!!!!
I am so grateful for the power of prayer. I feel that sometimes I personally don´t use it as much as I should or can. I am trying to repent of that and become better. I know that my Father will hear me and answer my prayers, it´s just a matter of having the faith sufficient and the humility to ask.
I love being a missionary. With this cambio being over half over already (they go faster every time), I am still just really trying to focus on loving it ALL. Living with a smile is so valuable, and it´s my goal. I feel happy and I feel the Spirit much more when I do. As Jimmy always used to say (and still does)..."gotta keep showin´ them teef."
I love my companions. We really have a great time together. We laugh lots, love lots, pray lots, and work lots. Perfect.
I love this work. It is so beautiful...and I just can´t say it enough.
Well, I hope that you all have a safe rest of your trip. I love you all tons. And I pray for you lots. Last calls on requests for souvenirs...(Eric, I need your shirt size for the jersey...and what kind you want if you have a preference.)
I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOOOO MUCH!
-Hermana Bertagnole
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