Aug 1, 2011
How was the week? I hope that it was a great one for you all. We had an awesome week last week. We are working really hard with the members. Ok...we are SO excited about getting this plan into action. Changing the vision of the mission work. We set up a meeting with our ward mission leader (who was menos activo, but now reactivating!), as well as our district president, President Molina, and tonight we are going to meet with our Branch President to put together a plan on how to greaten our vision of missionary work. IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH THE MEMBERS! We had a great meeting with President Molina. I feel like he´s really excited to put a plan together to make some changes. We left his house last night, all smiles! We are praying that we can help all the members catch the vision of every member a missionary. I know that literally the world would change if we followed this commandment as faithfully as we follow the commandment of food storage. I think sometimes we, as members, pick and choose the commandments that we obey. For example..."food storage is easy, so I´ll save a year’s worth of peanut butter in my basement, but the whole ´share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ´ thing is just a little complicated, so I´m going to let someone else keep that commandment."...and that is how we enter casually into disobedience. I did the math yesterday in the morning. If every member of the Church brought one person into the Church every year...the ENTIRE world would be members in 9 years! I feel so inspired by the quotes that are in Preach My Gospel (p. 12) from all the Prophets about the importance of missionary work. Let´s just say that this is our calling, both as missionaries, and members....ok, I better stop there because I feel like I could go on and on about this.
Hey, thanks for all the letters! I am glad that I finally realized what the problem was with the emails...well, it was probably the Spirit that gave me the hint. Hey, I am just super happy here in Villarrica. Things are great, and we are seeing some great progress in the sector. It´s really just turning around. We had 6 investigators in Church yesterday, and 2 of them are already preparing for baptism. We are so excited to help change the vision of the missionary work here. I know that this ward needs this revolution. I know that it is what the Lord would have His saints do. Every time I read or talk about it, it´s just a flood of the Spirit. DO IT! Be part of it!!!!!!!!!! Talk to everyone! Don´t be scared...get over it. The blessings are HUGE. Don´t let fear get in the way of eternal salvation.
We are working hard with a woman and her son. She is pretty much one of my best friends here in Villarrica. She loves us and we love her. She is so awesome. I´ll tell you all about her when the time comes. She´s just a huge miracle...and her little boy is just awesome too. Yesterday in church, he frantically was searching all the scriptures mention in the talks. It was so cute, and he´s good at it too! Pray for them lots please.
We had a great turn out in Church yesterday, as well. We are really seeing some great progress of some of our investigators. Prayers (both theirs and ours) are being answered, and we just couldn´t be happier. We are happy doing the work of the Lord. It´s the best thing ever. I feel so blessed to be able to be a small part of it.
I love you all so much. Thank you to all my friends that are writing me! (Oscar, Roddy, Karin, Steph, Chels, Jimmy, Susie, etc.) I appreciate them all...I am getting them and I am loving them. The sector that I am in right now is a little complicated to send mail, so if I can´t write for awhile I apologize, but know that I love you all and I am thankful for your prayers and support. Stay strong. Be good!
To the family, I just love you all more than life. I thank you infinitely for everything. Be good.
LOVE YOU!
Hermana Bertagnole
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
I really didn't forget about you.... I promise!
July 25, 2011
Ok, first of all, I did get word from Pres. Maldonado that he talked to my family. First reaction: panic! Second reaction: why? He then explained that you didn´t get my last two letters!? I really hope that you get this one. I am sending them to the same address, so I hope that there is nothing wrong with mine or yours. I forwarded the letter I wrote from 2 weeks ago, and the letter from last week (that I don´t know if you got or not) was very short because the time was very limited. But I hope that you are getting my letters. :( Que triste! I still love you, don´t worry! I haven´t forgotten about you!
Well, on to this week´s letter...
I can feel a change talking place in me every day. I am still (obviously) not perfect, but the desires of my heart have changed and are changing. The Lord´s mission has been the biggest miracle of my life...the biggest learning process, and I just don´t want it to stop. I want to have to push myself to the limit every day. I feel that I am on a quest to obedience. Its sounds really strange, but I have realized things change with obedience. I was telling Hermana Chamorro this morning that every day I feel like the topic I study, without even really trying to, is obedience. I guess that is why it is the 1st law of heaven...everything depends on it. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for His perfect, flawless, and genius Plan of Salvation...and that fact that I know what it is and I understand a small fraction of it, is something that has changed my eternal existence. How blessed.
Well, things are well here in Volcán. We saw some fantastic miracles yesterday. As we were walking to Church, from the other direction we saw a family that we have been teaching walking up to the gates of the Church. They are fairly recent converts that went inactive due to family problems. We have been working hard with them for quite some time to get the back to church. They finally came! AND THEN...as if that miracle wasn´t enough...behind them came walking one of our investigators, who told us the night before, that she wasn´t going to be able to come to Church...and there she was. My eyes filled with tears at the sight. I was feeling a little discouraged on the walk to church because most of our investigators are out of town or wouldn´t be able to come to Church. Clearly, I was fighting for that faith to see miracles. And there it was. And if those two miracles weren´t enough, after the meeting started in walked an old man that we had contacted and invited to church a few days ago. He said he might come, and we smiled and told him that we´d see him there, but I never in a million years thought I would see him again. He´s an 81 year old man, that is close to blind, close to deaf, and half crippled... and he walked to church, from the other side of town...and that is why he was late. I don´t know if he saw or heard very much at church, but he said that he felt good. What an example he gave to me, and to all the members. Some people act, and others are acted upon, I guess. :)
Another change that has taken place in me this week, as well as gradually throughout the mission, is my thirst for knowledge, and my thirst to know my Savior. And with this thirst brings a huge desire that others can really come to know their Savior through His Atoning Sacrifice. This is a theme that has been occupying my mind a lot this week: how can I come to know my Savior better? If you have any advice or counsel, I would love to hear it. I heard in a talk once that it´s different to know Jesus Christ, than it is to know about Him...I think in the mission we learn so much about Him, we lose track a little bit, of really getting to know Him. This is a life goal of mine...it´s going on the bucket list. :)
Well, that´s all I got...well, at least all I got time for. I am going to send a ton of pictures...or at least try to.
I love you all so much. Thank you for your letters, and your concern for me. Know that I am happy and healthy and working hard. I love you all tons. Mucho mucho mucho mucho. Be good, and you´ll be happy.
Love,
Hermana Bertagnole
ps...tell me if you get this please!
Ok, first of all, I did get word from Pres. Maldonado that he talked to my family. First reaction: panic! Second reaction: why? He then explained that you didn´t get my last two letters!? I really hope that you get this one. I am sending them to the same address, so I hope that there is nothing wrong with mine or yours. I forwarded the letter I wrote from 2 weeks ago, and the letter from last week (that I don´t know if you got or not) was very short because the time was very limited. But I hope that you are getting my letters. :( Que triste! I still love you, don´t worry! I haven´t forgotten about you!
Well, on to this week´s letter...
I can feel a change talking place in me every day. I am still (obviously) not perfect, but the desires of my heart have changed and are changing. The Lord´s mission has been the biggest miracle of my life...the biggest learning process, and I just don´t want it to stop. I want to have to push myself to the limit every day. I feel that I am on a quest to obedience. Its sounds really strange, but I have realized things change with obedience. I was telling Hermana Chamorro this morning that every day I feel like the topic I study, without even really trying to, is obedience. I guess that is why it is the 1st law of heaven...everything depends on it. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for His perfect, flawless, and genius Plan of Salvation...and that fact that I know what it is and I understand a small fraction of it, is something that has changed my eternal existence. How blessed.
Well, things are well here in Volcán. We saw some fantastic miracles yesterday. As we were walking to Church, from the other direction we saw a family that we have been teaching walking up to the gates of the Church. They are fairly recent converts that went inactive due to family problems. We have been working hard with them for quite some time to get the back to church. They finally came! AND THEN...as if that miracle wasn´t enough...behind them came walking one of our investigators, who told us the night before, that she wasn´t going to be able to come to Church...and there she was. My eyes filled with tears at the sight. I was feeling a little discouraged on the walk to church because most of our investigators are out of town or wouldn´t be able to come to Church. Clearly, I was fighting for that faith to see miracles. And there it was. And if those two miracles weren´t enough, after the meeting started in walked an old man that we had contacted and invited to church a few days ago. He said he might come, and we smiled and told him that we´d see him there, but I never in a million years thought I would see him again. He´s an 81 year old man, that is close to blind, close to deaf, and half crippled... and he walked to church, from the other side of town...and that is why he was late. I don´t know if he saw or heard very much at church, but he said that he felt good. What an example he gave to me, and to all the members. Some people act, and others are acted upon, I guess. :)
Another change that has taken place in me this week, as well as gradually throughout the mission, is my thirst for knowledge, and my thirst to know my Savior. And with this thirst brings a huge desire that others can really come to know their Savior through His Atoning Sacrifice. This is a theme that has been occupying my mind a lot this week: how can I come to know my Savior better? If you have any advice or counsel, I would love to hear it. I heard in a talk once that it´s different to know Jesus Christ, than it is to know about Him...I think in the mission we learn so much about Him, we lose track a little bit, of really getting to know Him. This is a life goal of mine...it´s going on the bucket list. :)
Well, that´s all I got...well, at least all I got time for. I am going to send a ton of pictures...or at least try to.
I love you all so much. Thank you for your letters, and your concern for me. Know that I am happy and healthy and working hard. I love you all tons. Mucho mucho mucho mucho. Be good, and you´ll be happy.
Love,
Hermana Bertagnole
ps...tell me if you get this please!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Jose', can you see?
Hey beautiful family of mine!!!!
Thank you all so much for all your letters (both friends and family). Unfortunately, I don´t have much time to read them all right here in internet, but I am printing every one of them so I can read them during lunch. I hope that you are all well. I am praying for you all every day.
Well, as far things go for the sector Volcán, things are really going well. We are working with two people right now that are really progressing well towards baptism. They should have very few stumbles in their process, as it is very obvious that they have been prepared to receive this glorious message. We also have a mother her three daughters with a baptismal date for the end of July, but they seem to really struggle with the commitments. They are very receptive, and have shared with the missionaries on and off for a long time, but we are struggling to get them in church on Sunday. We are praying and studying for guidance in this regard, but I know that this family has great promise.
The girl we are teaching is AWESOME! Such a smart girl. We also starting sharing with her mom this week!!! Her mom loved the message of the Plan of Salvation. She loves that the Church´s main focus is the Eternal Family. It was such a great lesson. She supports her daughter totally in getting baptized, and hopefully she and will be soon to follow. The other is a 10 year old boy...he is the son of a family that we are starting to teach that has been on and off faithful in the church. They have been inactive for a while now, but they have begun to return!!!!! Yesterday the whole family came. He has begun reading a verse from the Book of Mormon every night before he says his prayers. I am so excited for this little kid. I think he really is taking this seriously, and he´s just a really good kid. Keep them in your prayers this week please. They are really special.
We had a great week at finding new people to teach. I am so excited to keep working with those that we found this week. There are some true miracles, and there is great promise in these people. We had a rougher week with the work with members, but we are making adjustments this week so that it will work out better. Hermana Chamorro and I are really having a good time together. She is such a very special hermanita. I see lots of potential in her as she goes throughout the mission. She has such a strong testimony of the Gospel.
One thing that I am gaining a stronger testimony of every day is the fact that our Heavenly Father puts us exactly where we need to be. I have seen so many miracles this week, just from being in the right place at the right time. I know that so much of that is a result of obedience and faith, as well as shutting out the fear that prevents you from talking to everyone. That is something I am trying to do better at, is talking to everyone and sharing the gospel with EVERYONE that crosses our path. Miracles come to pass through small and simple things.
Well, that´s all I got...Time to go celebrate the 4th of July with my gringo compadres :)
Be good.
Abrazos grandisisisisimo.
-Hermana Bertagnole
Thank you all so much for all your letters (both friends and family). Unfortunately, I don´t have much time to read them all right here in internet, but I am printing every one of them so I can read them during lunch. I hope that you are all well. I am praying for you all every day.
Well, as far things go for the sector Volcán, things are really going well. We are working with two people right now that are really progressing well towards baptism. They should have very few stumbles in their process, as it is very obvious that they have been prepared to receive this glorious message. We also have a mother her three daughters with a baptismal date for the end of July, but they seem to really struggle with the commitments. They are very receptive, and have shared with the missionaries on and off for a long time, but we are struggling to get them in church on Sunday. We are praying and studying for guidance in this regard, but I know that this family has great promise.
The girl we are teaching is AWESOME! Such a smart girl. We also starting sharing with her mom this week!!! Her mom loved the message of the Plan of Salvation. She loves that the Church´s main focus is the Eternal Family. It was such a great lesson. She supports her daughter totally in getting baptized, and hopefully she and will be soon to follow. The other is a 10 year old boy...he is the son of a family that we are starting to teach that has been on and off faithful in the church. They have been inactive for a while now, but they have begun to return!!!!! Yesterday the whole family came. He has begun reading a verse from the Book of Mormon every night before he says his prayers. I am so excited for this little kid. I think he really is taking this seriously, and he´s just a really good kid. Keep them in your prayers this week please. They are really special.
We had a great week at finding new people to teach. I am so excited to keep working with those that we found this week. There are some true miracles, and there is great promise in these people. We had a rougher week with the work with members, but we are making adjustments this week so that it will work out better. Hermana Chamorro and I are really having a good time together. She is such a very special hermanita. I see lots of potential in her as she goes throughout the mission. She has such a strong testimony of the Gospel.
One thing that I am gaining a stronger testimony of every day is the fact that our Heavenly Father puts us exactly where we need to be. I have seen so many miracles this week, just from being in the right place at the right time. I know that so much of that is a result of obedience and faith, as well as shutting out the fear that prevents you from talking to everyone. That is something I am trying to do better at, is talking to everyone and sharing the gospel with EVERYONE that crosses our path. Miracles come to pass through small and simple things.
Well, that´s all I got...Time to go celebrate the 4th of July with my gringo compadres :)
Be good.
Abrazos grandisisisisimo.
-Hermana Bertagnole
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Ashes, ashes, we all preach the gospel
Mon, Jun 27, 2011
Hey there family. I love you all.
Thank you for all your letters this week. I am glad that you all survived the week...and the trek.
There is ash falling from the volcano that erupted a few weeks ago. What will happen next....
Things here in Villarrica are well. I am with a new little companion now. Her name is Hermana Chamorro. She is from the Robinson Crusoe Island of Chile. She is so so cute, and sweet. I told her that I will teach her English, if she helps me perfect my Spanish. We both win. But today is English Monday. I taught her how to pray in English, and now she does it all the time. It is so sweet. It makes me tear up sometimes. Today I said a prayer in English...because we are only talking in English today...mas o menos....I just cried. I haven’t said a prayer in English in a long time...it was hard at first....but I felt very very close to my Heavenly Father. I felt the Spirit very strong...she did too. It was kind of a neat experience.
The work is going well. We are struggling to get the family we are working with to church. They are all preparing for baptism together for the 23 of July, but they struggle to get to church. We called them, and then passed by, and then left them a note, but they still didn’t come. I was a little sad, but I know that they just need more loving, more understanding, and more member friends. I know how to fix it, it’s all just a matter of working hard and being an instrument in the Lord’s hands. Please pray for them, too.
This Sunday we will be fasting again for a friend, so that she will be able to ask again for permission to be baptized, and this time receive it. I really love this girl. She is so very special and faithful.
Well, this week President leaves, and President comes. It will be a good experience to see this change take place. Even though I will miss President and Hermana Lovell....like crazy, it will be a special treat to be able to have two Presidents and Hermanas. I am excited to see how this week goes. What changes take place.
Well, I am very happy. I am sorry once again...short letter, and no pictures of the house. I am going to write that in the good old mission agenda right now...by doing so it becomes sacred...feel honored.
I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.
Be good.
Hermana Bertagnole
Hey there family. I love you all.
Thank you for all your letters this week. I am glad that you all survived the week...and the trek.
There is ash falling from the volcano that erupted a few weeks ago. What will happen next....
Things here in Villarrica are well. I am with a new little companion now. Her name is Hermana Chamorro. She is from the Robinson Crusoe Island of Chile. She is so so cute, and sweet. I told her that I will teach her English, if she helps me perfect my Spanish. We both win. But today is English Monday. I taught her how to pray in English, and now she does it all the time. It is so sweet. It makes me tear up sometimes. Today I said a prayer in English...because we are only talking in English today...mas o menos....I just cried. I haven’t said a prayer in English in a long time...it was hard at first....but I felt very very close to my Heavenly Father. I felt the Spirit very strong...she did too. It was kind of a neat experience.
The work is going well. We are struggling to get the family we are working with to church. They are all preparing for baptism together for the 23 of July, but they struggle to get to church. We called them, and then passed by, and then left them a note, but they still didn’t come. I was a little sad, but I know that they just need more loving, more understanding, and more member friends. I know how to fix it, it’s all just a matter of working hard and being an instrument in the Lord’s hands. Please pray for them, too.
This Sunday we will be fasting again for a friend, so that she will be able to ask again for permission to be baptized, and this time receive it. I really love this girl. She is so very special and faithful.
Well, this week President leaves, and President comes. It will be a good experience to see this change take place. Even though I will miss President and Hermana Lovell....like crazy, it will be a special treat to be able to have two Presidents and Hermanas. I am excited to see how this week goes. What changes take place.
Well, I am very happy. I am sorry once again...short letter, and no pictures of the house. I am going to write that in the good old mission agenda right now...by doing so it becomes sacred...feel honored.
I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.
Be good.
Hermana Bertagnole
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The best day ever!
Jun 20, 2011
Ok...you guys are not going to believe the letter I just got in my email...Roddy wrote me and told me that Orlando (the blind man that I loved so much in Osorno) is getting baptized this Saturday....and that Orlando chose Roddy to baptize him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that not the coolest thing of your life!? I just sat here and teared up with joy. It is so cool to see Roddy progressing like crazy, and then to hear that Orlando is getting baptized!!!!! I just love the mission. I just feel like it filling up with miracles. So many that there is not room enough to receive them all! I was so so so so overjoyed to hear that. YAY!!!
Anyway, on another note. The cambios have been cut short this round because Pte. Lovell is going home, so he is doing the cambios a week early so that when our new President Rappleye gets here at the end of the month, everything will be ready. We found out that my dear dear dearly beloved Hermana Gebara a.k.a. Coop is getting transferred to Punta Arenas. I am excited for her, but I am very sad that she is leaving. However I will be getting a new little compi...a Chilean. Her name is Hermana Chomorro. She is really pretty new in the mission. She is finishing her training up right now. I have met her a few times, and she just seems really sweet. I am excited to be with her. What´s scary though, is I think she might be my last companion...ugh. Time is flying by so fast....and you all (mostly Eric and his kids) aren´t helping with your trunky letters! :) Hahahaha. I love you guys, and I miss you lots.
Well, on to the work which I am in here in Villarrica. We are seeing some great progress in the sector. Unfortunately not many, investigators or members, showed up at church yesterday. It was Father´s Day, and it was raining...a bad combination. But the Spirit was strong and I learned a great deal. We are still working with our investigators with fecha to help them keep their focus and vision on baptism. I love these people and their pure desires to serve their God.
Well, I can´t write very much this week. Cambios = craziness. Just know that I am well. I am glad to hear that all is well there in the states. I love you all tons, and I miss you. MOM! I forgot to take picutres of the house! I am sorry. I forgot. I´ll try and remember next week :) I love you all. Be good. And do the simple things of the Gospel ALWAYS!
Hugs...big ones.
Hermana Bertagnole
Ok...you guys are not going to believe the letter I just got in my email...Roddy wrote me and told me that Orlando (the blind man that I loved so much in Osorno) is getting baptized this Saturday....and that Orlando chose Roddy to baptize him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that not the coolest thing of your life!? I just sat here and teared up with joy. It is so cool to see Roddy progressing like crazy, and then to hear that Orlando is getting baptized!!!!! I just love the mission. I just feel like it filling up with miracles. So many that there is not room enough to receive them all! I was so so so so overjoyed to hear that. YAY!!!
Anyway, on another note. The cambios have been cut short this round because Pte. Lovell is going home, so he is doing the cambios a week early so that when our new President Rappleye gets here at the end of the month, everything will be ready. We found out that my dear dear dearly beloved Hermana Gebara a.k.a. Coop is getting transferred to Punta Arenas. I am excited for her, but I am very sad that she is leaving. However I will be getting a new little compi...a Chilean. Her name is Hermana Chomorro. She is really pretty new in the mission. She is finishing her training up right now. I have met her a few times, and she just seems really sweet. I am excited to be with her. What´s scary though, is I think she might be my last companion...ugh. Time is flying by so fast....and you all (mostly Eric and his kids) aren´t helping with your trunky letters! :) Hahahaha. I love you guys, and I miss you lots.
Well, on to the work which I am in here in Villarrica. We are seeing some great progress in the sector. Unfortunately not many, investigators or members, showed up at church yesterday. It was Father´s Day, and it was raining...a bad combination. But the Spirit was strong and I learned a great deal. We are still working with our investigators with fecha to help them keep their focus and vision on baptism. I love these people and their pure desires to serve their God.
Well, I can´t write very much this week. Cambios = craziness. Just know that I am well. I am glad to hear that all is well there in the states. I love you all tons, and I miss you. MOM! I forgot to take picutres of the house! I am sorry. I forgot. I´ll try and remember next week :) I love you all. Be good. And do the simple things of the Gospel ALWAYS!
Hugs...big ones.
Hermana Bertagnole
Monday, June 13, 2011
You think you have tornadoes in Kansas?
Well, hello family. I know I haven´t sent pictures in a long time so I am going to use my time this week mostly sending pictures...I¨ve got some good ones! All from this week actually...sorry none of them show my house, but I´ll try and send those next week.
1. Pte and Hna Lovell´s farewell. I´ll miss them sooooo much. They are like our mission mom and dad. They are such special people to me. It was hard to give them that last hug goodbye.
2. I don´t know if you all heard or not, but the same day that we went to Valdivia for our Zone Conference to say goodbye to Pte and Hna Lovell, a tornado passed through Villarrica...right through our sector. There has never in the history of Villarrica been a tornado. I told them I´m sorry...I´m probably the only "tornado alley baby" in the whole town...it´s probably my fault. Hermana Gebara and I are counting our blessings though because if we were not in Valdivia for the conference all our plans that day were right where the tornado passed through, but we are safe. We found many opportunities to serve...starting at our church building.
3. The tornado stole our steeple...but luckily that was about the only damage, apart from the debris.
4. Other big news...I´m an old lady now. Hit the big 23 this week! I went with Eric´s advice and got the mil hojas cake. Yummy. Please note the homemade candles. :) Classic.
5. My new friend....I am becoming a very animal friendly person on the mission, I think. (this is at our momita´s house)
6. We went to the waterfalls in Pucón this week. So pretty.
7. This is our zone in Villarrica...somos pocos...pero fuertes.
8. ...but we´re the most fuertes ;) Obvio.
Anyway, so that´s that for the pictures. Brief summaries, I know. I apologize that I am not writing more, but time is short. In other news, without pictures...is that I got to talk to the ex-companions in Osorno, and they said that Orlando (the blind man) is getting baptized the 25th of June, Belen and Carlos are getting married the 8th of July and then she is getting baptized the 9th, and Juan and Paola are getting married and she´ll get baptized in August! Miracles. I love these people so much. They told me that Roddy is also preparing to receive the Mel. Priesthood this November and is just doing great. I love the mission. I love the miracles that happen, and the blessings of serving the Lord.
The work here in Villarrica is really starting to progress well as well. We finished this week finding two families of GOLD, and we have another family that has a baptismal date and came to church this week, and loved it.
We are blessed and happy, and safe. I LOVE YOU ALL LOTS. Thank you for everything.
LOVE,
Hermana Bertagnole
1. Pte and Hna Lovell´s farewell. I´ll miss them sooooo much. They are like our mission mom and dad. They are such special people to me. It was hard to give them that last hug goodbye.
2. I don´t know if you all heard or not, but the same day that we went to Valdivia for our Zone Conference to say goodbye to Pte and Hna Lovell, a tornado passed through Villarrica...right through our sector. There has never in the history of Villarrica been a tornado. I told them I´m sorry...I´m probably the only "tornado alley baby" in the whole town...it´s probably my fault. Hermana Gebara and I are counting our blessings though because if we were not in Valdivia for the conference all our plans that day were right where the tornado passed through, but we are safe. We found many opportunities to serve...starting at our church building.
3. The tornado stole our steeple...but luckily that was about the only damage, apart from the debris.
4. Other big news...I´m an old lady now. Hit the big 23 this week! I went with Eric´s advice and got the mil hojas cake. Yummy. Please note the homemade candles. :) Classic.
5. My new friend....I am becoming a very animal friendly person on the mission, I think. (this is at our momita´s house)
6. We went to the waterfalls in Pucón this week. So pretty.
7. This is our zone in Villarrica...somos pocos...pero fuertes.
8. ...but we´re the most fuertes ;) Obvio.
Anyway, so that´s that for the pictures. Brief summaries, I know. I apologize that I am not writing more, but time is short. In other news, without pictures...is that I got to talk to the ex-companions in Osorno, and they said that Orlando (the blind man) is getting baptized the 25th of June, Belen and Carlos are getting married the 8th of July and then she is getting baptized the 9th, and Juan and Paola are getting married and she´ll get baptized in August! Miracles. I love these people so much. They told me that Roddy is also preparing to receive the Mel. Priesthood this November and is just doing great. I love the mission. I love the miracles that happen, and the blessings of serving the Lord.
The work here in Villarrica is really starting to progress well as well. We finished this week finding two families of GOLD, and we have another family that has a baptismal date and came to church this week, and loved it.
We are blessed and happy, and safe. I LOVE YOU ALL LOTS. Thank you for everything.
LOVE,
Hermana Bertagnole
Monday, June 6, 2011
Milagros!!!
June 6, 2011
Ok family,
First of all I want to thank you all sooooo much for all your birthday greetings and treats...Mom and Dad, I got your package...I LOVE THE SLIPPERS (you´re right they are like walking on clouds...heavenly clouds), and my compi and I REALLY enjoyed your cinnamon bears...mmmm mmmm good. Thank you very much. And thank you mom and dad and grandma for putting money in my account. That is so GREAT! I love you all and thank you so much. My comps birthday is the 16th so we will be having a "party week" and hopefully celebrating with a baptism and lots of success and hard work.
Just of few of the many miracles that we have seen is that we have found SEVEN (!!!!!!!!!) people in our sector who have accepted to prepare for a baptism. We are, needless to say, very excited with this. We focused a lot this week on getting them to church...and we are going to continue to focus on getting them all to Church this week. I know that we are going to keep seeing miracles in the work here. The branch is just incredible. I am blown away every week by their faith. These Saints here have many desafios, but they just keep fighting. They are amazing to me...they are miracles for me. For example: we and all the youth here fasted this week for a special purpose that a young woman who is 14, can receive the permission of her father to be baptized. She has investigated the Church for many years now, maybe I told you about her. She has begun attending seminary every morning and she goes to Church every week, but her father won´t give her permission to be baptized. We have been teaching her, practicing with her, fasting and praying for her, and we are waiting to see what will happen. The Youth have really made her part of their family. The youth group here is so tight...they are literally like brothers and sisters. I love sharing with them. This week we taught seminary early in the morning, and it was so powerful to see them all in the church at 6:30 am in the morning! So faithful. So valiant.
We should find out today or tomorrow what will happen with her. Please pray that it will go well. But the best part is that for almost all of these kids in the youth group, they have gained a huge testimony of fasting. You should have heard their testimonies in sacrament meeting...so powerful.
Well, the work is really pushing forward here in Villarrica, and Hermana Gebara and I just couldn´t be happier. There are just miracles happening everywhere. (we found a young man yesterday, that is so golden that it just made my jaw drop). SO MANY. WE are exercising a ton of faith, obedience, just a lot of pounding the pavement! I have never been happier in the work.
Thank you for your prayers and your love for me. I am praying and loving you guys more every day. I hope that all is well.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
-Hermana Bertagnole
Ok family,
First of all I want to thank you all sooooo much for all your birthday greetings and treats...Mom and Dad, I got your package...I LOVE THE SLIPPERS (you´re right they are like walking on clouds...heavenly clouds), and my compi and I REALLY enjoyed your cinnamon bears...mmmm mmmm good. Thank you very much. And thank you mom and dad and grandma for putting money in my account. That is so GREAT! I love you all and thank you so much. My comps birthday is the 16th so we will be having a "party week" and hopefully celebrating with a baptism and lots of success and hard work.
Just of few of the many miracles that we have seen is that we have found SEVEN (!!!!!!!!!) people in our sector who have accepted to prepare for a baptism. We are, needless to say, very excited with this. We focused a lot this week on getting them to church...and we are going to continue to focus on getting them all to Church this week. I know that we are going to keep seeing miracles in the work here. The branch is just incredible. I am blown away every week by their faith. These Saints here have many desafios, but they just keep fighting. They are amazing to me...they are miracles for me. For example: we and all the youth here fasted this week for a special purpose that a young woman who is 14, can receive the permission of her father to be baptized. She has investigated the Church for many years now, maybe I told you about her. She has begun attending seminary every morning and she goes to Church every week, but her father won´t give her permission to be baptized. We have been teaching her, practicing with her, fasting and praying for her, and we are waiting to see what will happen. The Youth have really made her part of their family. The youth group here is so tight...they are literally like brothers and sisters. I love sharing with them. This week we taught seminary early in the morning, and it was so powerful to see them all in the church at 6:30 am in the morning! So faithful. So valiant.
We should find out today or tomorrow what will happen with her. Please pray that it will go well. But the best part is that for almost all of these kids in the youth group, they have gained a huge testimony of fasting. You should have heard their testimonies in sacrament meeting...so powerful.
Well, the work is really pushing forward here in Villarrica, and Hermana Gebara and I just couldn´t be happier. There are just miracles happening everywhere. (we found a young man yesterday, that is so golden that it just made my jaw drop). SO MANY. WE are exercising a ton of faith, obedience, just a lot of pounding the pavement! I have never been happier in the work.
Thank you for your prayers and your love for me. I am praying and loving you guys more every day. I hope that all is well.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
-Hermana Bertagnole
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