"How Great Thou Art"

Dearest Family-

   I have never known who I really was and what I could be until this saturday, June 29. I have never been happier. First a beautiful baptism, where the Spirit was in abundance, because of how much love I have and and gratitude I felt for God leading me to such a family. The fact that we have the opportunities to be a part of peoples lives in an eternal nature- it is amazing. I am only just now starting to grasp what a blessing, privelage and honor this is. Then we went to a house (mansion really) and we have been trying to contact these people for WEEKS and I just had a feeling about that day- so we went and they were home. 

  We were greeted by her and her brother (I am going to stop giving names) in desperation they sat us down and said, "I can't believe youre here. We have a 15 minute window before we leave to make and sign the biggest medical business deal of our lives." He told us how they have been seeking out the will of the Lord and guidance on this matter for quite some time. He told us how he has reached the pinnacle of wealth and honor and all the world has to offer but feels bankrupt because he doesn't know his family. He said he feels a constant battle between the pull of the world and the will of God- but in the world he has found no true joy. He said that their companies logo in now the Liahona because he said, "it won't work unless it's guided by the Lord". So just as they are getting ready to leave to make the final signings for the business, he wanted to know if it  was God's will and they were just about to pray when we knocked on their door. 

  "so" he said, "sister will you pray for us? a kneeling prayer?" I said yes but inside i was nervous because he had sooooooo much riding on this prayer, what did he need to hear? what was I to say? I said a silent prayer before I said the outer prayer and as I did I felt a calm peace come over me and a voice that said, "Just as I led you hear in perfect itme- I will guide the words you speak to touch their hearts. Their needs are known by me" so fear left me and I prayed. I have no clue what I said but mid prayer, I heard sniffles...at the end of the prayer I looked up and he was turned away absolutely sobbing and trying to hide his face. Then he turned to me and hugged me and cried on me and shook my hand and Sister Chandlers and thanked us for coming, he knew God sent us to pray for him and answer his prayers. And then we left. 15 minutes. that was all. 

THAT is what it feels like to an instrument in the Lords hands. THAT is why 100% obnedience is IMPERATIVE so that we can be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. So we can live up to the name we wear on our chest. That is when the Lord can use as and work through us to do HIS WORK WITH HIS CHILDREN. I looked at my greenie after we walked out and she had tears in her eyes and I said,"welcome to missionary work sister." then we hugged and cried together. I will never forget that.

Sister chandler is amazing. She has the most even steady temperment- we work beautifully together. I feel blessed by the Lord to have her. She also ran track in college!!! We run every morning :) its BOMB im on cloud nine.

Sunday Bishop asked me to sing "How Great thou art" a cappella. The spirit can truly work through music- I feel blessed and humbled to be able to invite the Spirit in any way I can. There wasnt a dry eye in the chapel because everyone felt the truth of the lyrics, "Then sings my soul, my saviour god to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art." I'm also singing the national anthem at our 4th of July celebration :) it brings me such joy to  have so many opportuniies to sing!!! 

  We also met a girl who is only 19 and has 2 year old baby. She fell away from the church, but we have been looking for her, and saturday- we found her. Yesterday- she invited us to dinner. We met her child- we helped her cook dinner- and I love that girl. She has been dealt hard cards. She feels alone. She's been harshly judged- but we just went in and loved her. We felt Christ's love for her. We reminded her that she is a daughter of God. we prayed with her.and guess what? that girl said she is coming to church this sunday! she said, "I feel like you're my friends."

    I have a testimony of missionary work. Of the Atonement, that Christ LIVES. Of the power of reading the Book of Mormon so that others can hear the testimonies of Nehpi and Moroni bear witness to them. I LOVE being a missionary and I love these people. I love you all too, know I pray for you xoxox

Sister Bertoldo