"I am a God of Miracles" 2 Ne.27:23

Dear Family-

This was incredible week- there is no way i can even begin to share it all in this one email! First off- our investigator Maya moved back to Alaska this week- our last lesson with her was hard...its hard to leave her!! But she has the gospel now. She finished reading 2 Nephi before she left too which meant a lot. I wrote her a letter and then when we were saying our goodbyes she said she had something to show me- she had an envelope full of everything we had ever given her- in one of our lessons a couple months ago I drew her the plan of salvation on scratch paper and she kept it and said she will always treasure it- she loves the plan of salvation:) oh that really touched me..it really doesn't get any better than sharing ETERNAL TRUTHS with someone and then seeing them feel and know it is true!! what a blessing to have been a part of her life- I pray she will continue on this path she's started down in drawing closer to Her Savior and learning His teachings. 

       

    Then we had a MIRACLE on tuesday- we went to this lady's house- she wasnt home- but her 19 year old granddaughter was there with her boyfriend- well they let us in and we got to talking...Her name is Holiday- she is possibly the most spiritually enlightened individual I have ever met!! she's been living with her grandma who converted years ago but is less active now so she is familiar with the Church- well we started reading from the Book of Mormon and you should have seen her face, her countenance..just change. She got really emotional and she said, "As we're talking and after you just read that (it was in Alma) I just feel like I'm glowing I feel so good!" We told her that was the Holy Ghost...it was amazing. She wanted a Book of Mormon, so we gave her one, and then at the end of the lesson I asked her if she felt comfortable saying the closing prayer. She said she had never prayed out loud before so we talked about how to pray and I wrote it all out for her (Dear Heavenly Father, what youre grateful for, what you need, Questions, In the name of Jesus Christ Amen) on a napkin and bless her heart!! She said the closing prayer her first prayer!! It was amazing!! SO we found a new investigator. Then as we were leaving, her boyfriend comes up to us and tells us that he had been praying that she would be led to good people, good friends, and then we showed up so he thanked us for that- well by then I was about in tears...it was so amazing. We are seeing her again next week. this girl is going to be baptized I can feel it...and her boyfriend may very well join too. What a miracle. 

     We found another investigator from knocking on doors- Kimberly a 50 year old woman retired from the Air force. Then the miracles continued!! We had a lesson with the Henderson family (as we do every week :) with Autumn, the 10 yr old girl that wants to be baptized, but his time sister Henderson invited Autumns parents over for dinner with us- we have been working towards this since I first got out here and sister Henderson finally got the courage to do it!! I'm soooo proud of her...well it went AMAZING!! Me and Autumns mother totally hit it off and we talked the whole time and at the end she wanted our number and her and her husband are interested in family history! It's amazing because if we can gain the trust and support of her parents, Autumn can be baptized, and I would not be the least bit surprised if her parent's start investigating too!! This is our prayer and our hope..but it was amazing- sister Henderson was so thrilled and relieved. 

    Also- Sister Hendersons non-member husband joined us as well so maybe his heart is softening towards the gospel and He will accept taking the lessons from us! He really loves...he cooked for us it was a great experience. Then later we had a lesson with the banks- they are also a part member family (I love them dearly!!!! so much fun haha) Her husband isn't a member but he is always pullings pranks on me- haha I just love that family. 

    Anyways the Stubbs (who I adore- they're a young couple and he's our ward mission leader and she is a ward missionary and she comes out with us all the time to lessons :) were invited too. After dinner we taught the Plan of Salvation to them and it went so well...After the lesson I just sat on the couch soaking in how happy I was....soaking in how much I love the people here...How they really are like family to me...how much I love being a missionary and how grateful I am to be serving here and how grateful I am to the Lord for leading me here. I just felt such deep joy im tearing up just thinking about it. I'm so happy you have no idea- I'm finally starting to get how to do missionary work...I get it now! I love it. I'm so glad God gave me the strength to go on in the times I felt so overwhelmed because now? wow- theres just joy. and love. and peace. and im in heaven!! haha I'm so close with the people here! Sister banks even got me a present from her trip to maine :) they are family to me.

    This Sunday I spoke along with Elder Sanders- it was weird sitting up on the stand together without our companions...but it was amazing- mom and dad, I wish you could've been there. I had a moment- When they were announcing the speakers and said "Our first speaker will be sister Bertoldo, a full-time missionary, followed by Elder Sanders, also a full-time missionary" it really hit me- because I haven't heard my name followed by "a full-time missionary" ever before...so hearing that- something inside me just felt so fulfilled...I thought of when I was little and first started having desires to be a missionary..a full-time missionary. that was a sweet moment. I know I'm doing what I was almost meant to do and Heavenly Father is pleased. I want to send you a copy of the talk. Bishop let us choose our topics, I chose the reality of Miracles, and Elder Sanders chose repentance- those two topics go perfectly hand in hand because really- what greater miracle is there than Christ's atoning sacrifice and the miracle of repentance? Well after our talks, an elderly woman came up to me crying and said that as we spoke she really felt the Spirit and knew she needed to have us teach her friend- so she gave us a referral!! We are going to start teaching her now as well.

Well...needless to say family this week was miraculous. A great week. we taught 27 lessons. I so testify that God is in this work- The book of mormon is a miracle because it softens hearts, changes attitudes and enlightens minds. Its done it for me and I've seen it happen time and time again on my mission. I LOVE being a missionary. read Mormon 9:15-19 love you all so much thank you for all you do,

 

Much love sister B

Thank You!!

Dear Family<3

 

FIrst I wanted to say thank you to Ashley for the letter and the package! It made me soooo happy you have no idea :) I was recharged all that day because of it! And I loved getting a letter from mom, Kristen and Haley! It made me so happy you have no idea how good it was to hear from you! And dad- thank you for the email today- you have no idea how much that meant so to all of you- thank you. I feel so far from home I forget what Provo, BYU, and home even feels like- it feels like i've been here my whole life- I guess because I've been so absorbed in it- so hearing from you guys was nice i didnt realize how far from you guys I was until i heard from you. But in other ways I feel close to you...you are all always in my heart and a part of me and much of what I teach and share is directly related to each of you. 

  This week was great- really busy. lesson lesson lesson. appointment after appointment after appointment. It's amazing how the Lord facilitates the Work and makes it all possible- I can;t express how fully I rely on Him and the Spirit. This sunday the Fillmore family sang "Did You think to Pray" and the little boy reminded me SO much of Michael when he sang, he sounded just like him, it really got my heart! I really miss Michael- I really miss you all...Jared. Kristen. Lindsey. Stacey. Haley. Ashley.mom dad. I really just cant think about it or else I get too emotional so I cried a bit but then just thought how happy it will be to see you all again. I just dont think about it.

So now for some info on the week- we had our lesson with Kiara and Candy and Charles (the family we randomly found by walking up and talking to them on their porch) we brought Nikita with us bc they both are military and have a lot in common. We taught the Atonement of Christ and introduced the Book of Mormon. Candy opened up and told us that when she was young she was bullied but the only girl that stood up for her and was kind was a mormon girl. What an impression this made on her!! It's so important we are kind and good representatives of Christ to EVERYONE we come into contact with- it really DOES make a lasting impression and it can make all the difference. These are our brothers and sisters- if we love God then we love them. We invited them to church but they didnt end up coming :( its ok! We will see them again and we will keep praying and being led by the Spirit and when they are ready it will happen. Join me in praying for this please! 

      We had a great lesson with Maya- she really opened up and we poured over the scriptures and found answers to her questions and by the end she was so excited she said, "I never thought I would be able to find answers in the scriptures for me- but now I feel it! I'm going to read whenever I have a question and just see what happens!" Ah!!! That made me overjoyed- i could've died- I was so happy because she GETS IT NOW!! She sees how the scriptures apply to HER PERSONALLY and once you get that- it all comes together. I know a power and peace is going to enter into her life like she has never experienced and I rejoice in that for her! Thats why we' re out here doing what we're doing. So much of missionary work is diligence, patience, trust, and long suffering- but when someone receive the truth or even a portion of it- it is all more than worth it!! I'm grateful the Lord is so patient with us. She came to church this sunday. 

     Then we had a really cool experience yesterday- after church the Elders came with us to see the H family, the family of little girls we are teaching and Autumn who is "investigating" (she's 10 but really wants to be baptised) and they gave them Father's Priesthood Blessings. It was really cool- dad I was trhinking of how much those blessings have meant to me all my life and they dont have a priesthood holder in their home so we had the Elders do it and what a beautiful job they did. All the little girls were shy and giggly with the Elders there haha it was SOOOOO cute- but then Elder Sanders explained what the blessings were and that they wer from Heavenly Father and then they blessed everyone of those little girls (2 10 yr olds, Autumn and Jordan,and 8 yr old, and then little lexi who is 5) mom and dad- it felt like I was home- it was so cool watching them get blessed for the first time and we wrote down everything that was said. 

     When Elder Sanders was blessing Lexi it was possibly the most tender thing I've ever seen- his hands were 5x the size of her teeny head and it was such a beautiful blessing- and then after he got a little emotional and was tearing up- it was so precious. I love those little girls. Then after the elders left we talked about patriarchal blessings and I shared part of mine with them and they were mesmerized. the Spirit was really strong there. I love being a missionary. 

      Bishop asked me and Elder Sanders to speak next Sunday. He let us choose our topics so after praying about it, I am going to speak on the reality of miracles in our lives! I'm excited about that topic- I believe in the reality of miracles. I pray I will be able to say all that the Spirit would have me say. I hope all is well with you and everyone is ready for school. This summer flew! Know how much I love you all. I want you to know that I have a burning testimony of this Gospel- this is Christ's church.The Book of Mormon is truly the word of God- it is truly the most inspired and correct book on the face of this earth. When we have a question in mind before reading- we will ALWAYS find answers if we have that we will. I have seen this time and time again on the mission. I love that book. I know the power of Prayer is real- its our portal and means to draw nearer to God so He can lead us in this life and help us know His will. I glory in this work and in His children! People are so easy to love. Take care.

 Much love sister B

Best of the Best

Dearest Family-

 

Where to begin! We found a new family to investigate- they were sitting outside on their porch and I felt that tug in my heart so me and the greenie walked up talked to them- they were so receptive! She is a military mom with a 7 yr old son charles who showed us al his karate moves and an adopted 12 yr old daughter named Kiara. She wants us to teach her kids bc she herself is religiously open minded and said we can come back when her husband isnt here- so we are going back this tuesday! We all talked for an hour or so it was so cool and Kiara came up to me and whispered in my ear before we left "you are really pretty" haha it was so cute! So pray that all goes well. 

   We had 3 investigators at church this sunday!!! JC the 16 yr old that I was worried we were losing, and I love her like a sister, texted us saying that she wanted to see us again. We then had the most POWERFUL meeting ever. She confided and told us everything she had been holding back. After our last lesson 3 weeks ago I had prayed- really prayed- that she would get an answer that would be unmistakable to her so she would know what we were teaching her was true. I plead her cause to the Lord then realized the Savior already had. It was an incredible experience. Then 3 weeks went by of nothing. Well at the end of our lesson this week- we told her she was a DAUGHTER OF GOD WITH DIVINE POTENTIAL we shared Jacob 3:1-3 with her which is directed to the "pure in heart" which is her- and how we must turn to CHRIST to comfort and console us. Well at the end we prayed and while we prayed I felt a warm gust of wind. After the prayer she had tears in her eyes and said, "I felt something- in my heart when you prayed- I felt a warm wind and it made my heart feel warm." she was smiling- she looked lighter- happy!! I told her that was the Spirit telling her what we talked about with her was true! That was God's love! and God even let me feel it too- he answered my prayer from 3 weeks ago and let me feel her answer with her. It was beautiful.

    Then the k family we've been working with- we got a bcd (baptism and confirmation date) set with sarah!! Her 9 yr old daughter. She is getting baptized the 31st of August. She and her mom both came to church this sunday- and our investigator Maya came too!! It was amazing bishop was floored. 

     Here's the cool thing- I fasted that morning praying that they would all come to Church and not only that but that they would feel the Spirit. Well- yesterday after sacrament JC said she might go home- she wasn't feeling well. I looked her dead in the eye and told her, "JC if you stay, I will go to YW with you instead of RS.. I'll sit with you the whole time." She said," Promise?" I promised!!! So she stayed. then in YW guess what they talked about? guess? TEMPLE COVENANTS. marriage. BAPTISM. It was perfect- at the end of it the YW President asked if I would speak- boy did I ever want to speak and talk to those girls about temple marriage!! I bore my testimony to them and told them I knew God knew them and had a plan for each of them- I told them part of that plan is a MAN. I testified to them that preparing for the temple is the best thing they could dream of and how it all starts with baptismal covenants and obedience to them. Then I looked at every one of those girls (there are a lot maybe 20) and I got totally overwhelmed- I have never seen so many eyes and faces so fixed on me- the Spirit was so strong- I felt like they were all just hanging on every word and all the leaders were crying and a lot of the girls too then I looked at JC- and maya- two of our investigators sitting there looking back at me- at I got such a huge feeling of love for them I totally broke down! I usually don't cry in public but I did because I thought my heart was going to explode. I told them they were all a part of me now forever and that the love I felt for each them was because of the Savior- I was feeling a portion of His love for them- so I testified of Christ's love for them. It was tremendous. I really think I am meant to work with youth- specifically girls- I just felt such power and always do when I talk about the temple and eternal marriage- i love bearing my testimony of that to them it only deepens my own and I love watching them catch the wave. So yeah- JC needed to be there- that was inspired of God. 

     I love you guys. Read DC section 6. I hope yall are doing well- please keep praying for me out here- i need it- my comp is sweet but has had emotional/psychological problems in the past- I need all the strength from the Lord I can get bc on my own I am nothing. I constantly counsel with the Lord just to get through a day but then miracles happen so I am always full of joy- the people here are beloved by me and I am beloved to them- its the COOLEST THING!!!!! I really do love being a missionary. Pray for JC, pray for the family we are meeting tuesday and that they will feel the Spirit and know it's true. Pray for me and us to be led to those who need us. that's all there is to my existence right now- it all revolves around others all my prayers, all my thoughts, all my heart.

Love sis. B

My dear Nikita the day before she went to the temple for the first time!!

District Picture

1/3 Done

Dearest Family-

 

How crazy it is to think that already ive been out 6 months!! It flies. Today is tranfers day and guess what- I'm training a new sister from the MTC again!! I have a feeling I will be training my whole mission and that would be fine by me because I LOVE training. But- when I got the call this morning that Sister Chandler will be leaving me it was really bittersweet because we have truly become good friends- and to make it even more sad we were both laughing and talking in our room together making videos when the call came so we just both burst into tears- thats the hardest part is finally forming a deep friendship and relationship with somone only to have them ripped away! 

   But i know I will love this new sister and be the best trainer I can be for her too. And I know Sister chandler will be great in fox run- she's ready. I have complete faith in her. her testimony is rock solid- being with her was such a JOY. she is such a steady spirit. Elder Sanders is also staying and training another new elder and elder parsons is leaving to alabama. I can't tell you how relieved I am he's staying. If both he and sister chandler left I dont think my heart could take it!! So that's transfers.

 

As for our week- wow!! so busy. We taught a record of 25 lessons this week!! Bishop called and said he was so thrilled and impressed with our work. A busy week is a happy week- yesterday (sunday) we were literally gone alllll day- we were only home for 30 minutes all day and then after church we had 5 appointments- it was awesome! 

   First we taught this lady- Sister Mullikin, who is a sweet older sister that is trying get ready to go on a mission herself now that her husband is passed away. Then we took her out with us to contact her friend John- an older gentleman who's wife died of cancer- and we had a good first meeting and lesson with him. Then we went to my favorite family ever the H's and cooked dinner with them :) all organic and paleo it was awesome I was in heaven! We even made sugar free lemon bars haha. then we taught a sister who is recently going through a divorce and we taught her and her 2 kids about the Plan of Salvation and shared DC  98 with her. It was a powerful lesson. Then we taught Sister Wilcurt- and read scriptures with her and sang hymns for her husband Daniel who is 95 and still going strong! haha earlier this week us and the elders got together and helped her put on a garage sale- it took us 2 hourse to go through her garage and get it all organized and it was so hot!! by the end of it the elders shirts were so soaked through with sweat- even their ties were soaked! it was hilarious. 

     Oh! and get this- our investigator Maya- we have been trying to get her to read the BOM. so this week we were going to focus on that but we got there and before we even asked her she said, "oh sisters i forgot to tell you- I read! I read 1st Nephi" so we were happy and asked her what chapter and how it went and she said, "No I read the whole first book of nephi- I loved it. I couldnt put it down." ah!! I was stoked. that was a great moment. 

    We also found a new potential investigator this week- her name is Jessica, she is recently divorced and she was a referral from a ward member. We had a great lesson with her on having a firm foundation of christ and read Hel. 5:12. We also had our first lesson with Savon- she is 16 yrs old living with some ward members here while her parents are deployed and shes been coming to church and wants to learn more. I LOVE that girl- its crazy. We talked with her about prayer and how vital prayer is to gain and know spiritual truths. afterwards I gave her one of my big hugs and she said the sweetest thing to me, she said, "ah sister b you are so tender. you walked up to me with your arms wide open before you even knew me!" haha i've noticed I do often hug people before I even really know them- but that's because I feel like I already do know them! People are so easy to love- you dont have to know somebody to love them, and I guess hugging people is how I show that love. I love hugging people. 

    ANYWAYS moving on with the week- we saw a part member family, the k family, for the second time, and had a really amazing lesson with them. At the end, their 9 yr old daughter sarah looked at her mom and said "I want to go to church this sunday. And I want to get baptized mom." The mom started crying. It was aweswome- then she told how hard things have been- how hard it is having a non member husband and how badly she's needed the missionaries in her home. She said that before we knocked on her door it had been over 2 years since she'd had any missionaries in her home. She committed to come to Church next Sundaywith her kids!! 

    I can assure you that nothing feels better than hearing someone tell us they've been waiting for us to knock on their door. Nothing feels better than a reading a scripture you feel prompted to share for a reason you arent aware of- but when you do- they break down and cry because they feel the Spirit. That's when you know its the Spirit- we don't know their hearts, but He does. God knows- its amazing how He just uses us to speak to people.       I really do love being a missionary. There are a lot of things I miss, just the little things like watching movies and taking naps and wearing sweats and reading magazines- but really- nothing can compare to the joy I feel when I feel the power and depth of God's love for His children. This is such a happy work. And the Book of Mormon!! Wow!! It has become indispensable to me- I pour over its pages and stories and the words have become alive to me- I know that book is true and inspired of God. I am reading in Alma right now and I am learning so much about how to be a good missionary from Ammon, and Alma and Amulek and all the sons of Mosiah- I might be training but I know that I'm being trained too by the example and words of those prophets!!        last thing thats really cute and worth mentioning- We went to a member families house for dinner wednsday night and they have a lot of little girls- well the youngest one Violet who is 5 came up to me and gave me a picture and said, "it's us" she drew me and sister Chandler holding her hands and walking together...haha it was soooo cute!! I will keep that picture forever.

    Family I love you- mom thank you for the clothes I really liked the maxi skirt even though it was a little big!! I also loved the orange cardigan thank you!!! I love and think of you all. 

Take care xoxo

much love sister b