tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83645837867729127312024-03-21T17:11:39.896-07:00Sister Brooke BertoldoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-82283194434050052772014-07-07T12:17:00.002-07:002014-07-07T12:17:12.712-07:00The best decision I ever made.<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear Family.<br /><br />The best decision I ever made was to come out and work full time for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and my God. A full 18 months. Words will never be able to convey the depth of how I feel. Sometimes I wonder- why does God love me so much? Why does God care so much about me that He has worked with me so tediously, painstakingly, patiently, specifically, and line by line all in an effort to help me to become? I have found that the more I invest in Him and show Him how much I care about becoming the woman and being and soul He wants me to be, the more He invests in me and helps me to accomplish that deep, deep desire. It means I get more challenges, go through harder things- it means he starts requiring more of me and giving me more responsibilities- the tests get a little harder, the pain a little deeper, the pressure a little hotter, the tasks a bit more trying, exhausting and direct - but all the while it keeps me closer to Him because it's like we're working together to accomplish the thing I know I asked Him for in the first place- so I can't complain. I can only yoke myself to home, rely on him and press on hand in hand with Him. To go through such experiences is not possible to do without Him - it would be too hard- but with Him it is absolutely possible and the growth is absolutely real. my heart is absolutely changed. and my character is chiseled. My sense of self absolutely purer. I have the eyes to see things as they really are, the understanding to discern the lies and wiles of the adversary from the truths and assurances from God. My patience and lover for others is bolstered- I can better see them as He does. My desires are not what they were- though some of the noble desires I had before still remain with deepened resolve to accomplish them. I know that things will happen in God's time, in His way, and that opposition is necessary for our growth. I have learned to accept things I previously struggled to, and I have felt increased peace and ability to do more good for others as I have done so, and above all I have learned to trust God and live for Him. I have learned you don't have to be perfect to be pure - its in the striving and the cleaving unto Him and the Spirit that sanctification comes- and I am at full fulfillment, peace and feeling wholly calm and collected. How great is my God! I will never doubt my God! I will never get over How He has worked with me, and let me work for others, and literally as i lost myself in striving to help others to draw closer to Him and fulfill their full potential, it I He pulled in closer to Him, along with those I had the privilege and honor to teach. I am absolutely in awe of Him and His love.</div>
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I bore my testimony for the last time as a full time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. so surreal. I didn't cry- I just felt at peace and fulfilled. I spoke what I knew was true. but I will never forget what it felt like to say the words, "it's been a privilege to serve you for the past 7 months, and it has been a privilege to serve my Heavenly Father for 18 months." I was overcome with emotion at saying that- but not to the eye, just internally. I thought- no one knows all I have experienced but God- then I felt very near to Him in that moment. There were many goodbyes, and tears, some were very hard for me to part with- jessica being one of them- seeing them cry touched my heart. Saying goodbye to the sisters I have worked with and done exchanges with was also very hard- particularly those I have served with for months and truly seen them grow. I will forever be invested in them and their growth. Because who you sacrifice for and serve, you love. We had our last lesson with Marsha- it was very tearful on her part. I will never forget what she told me. She said, "Sister Bertoldo- I want to thank you for listening to me. and understanding me. because of how you listened, i knew and felt you understood me, and that made me feel more comfortable to explore the gospel, and ask the hard questions when i would normally shut down" she started crying then said, "I want you to know that because you have listened and understood I have come closer to christ and to God." I will never forget that. it struck me when she said that, because that is literally our purpose, we state it every morning,"to invite others to come unto Christ"- I thought of all the weeks of teaching her, all the lessons, preparation, prayers and efforts that had gone into teaching her and really trying to discern her needs and allow the spirit to teach her (I know He is who really teaches not me) and all I could feel welling in my heart is that ALL OF IT WAS WORTH IT. We taught Shanon the full Plan of Salvation, which has been a goal of mine for months. It went great- the spirit was there. I feel I have done my part with her teaching, and that feels so good. I love you all. I look forward to hugging every single one of you.<br /></div>
All My love,</div>
Sister Bertoldo<br /></div>
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I forget to tell you about the 4th of July! We went to this huge festival at Tom Brown park so that we could contact people and hand out pass along cards, Book of Mormons, and talk about Family History work! it was EXHAUSTING! We contacted for 2 hours! but it was so much fun- we met so many cool people and planted a lot of seeds that will sprout and grow later. I loved it. It was a good way to go. missionary work at its finest. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-4785102925215386002014-07-07T12:06:00.000-07:002014-07-07T12:06:08.781-07:00"I know of no easy formula for success. Persist, Persist, Persist. Work, Work, Work! Fulfill the promises you make to yourself." -Heber J. Grant<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dearest family-<br /></div>
So 10 days left to my mission...10 days!!! That is insane- its been hard to say goodbye to people. I have truly met people and made relationships and bonds with people, I can't bare to part with!! goodbyes are hard. But i will tell you what- missionary work is a joy to do and i feel an added measure of passion in teaching people i know i will only see one more time. I am being quite bold and its awesome! boldness is truth spoken with love- i feel the need to be bold knowing i am leaving so soon. I love teaching like this! not that I haven't other times on my mission- i have- but there is definitely an added measure of boldness when people know these are my parting words and testimony. Very emotional. inspiring, draining, intense, but beautiful. and above all else- spiritual.<br /></div>
Well- we had a breathrough lesson with Marsha! we watched the full length restoration- i have never felt the spirit stronger watching that film- it really hit me while watching that film just how much my testimony of the restoration has been deepened because of my understanding of it through teaching and studying it so frequently over the course of 18 months. wow. I testified to marsha about how faith in Joseph smith ismt what we are focused on- its about gaining a testimony that the FULNESS OF CHRIST'S GOSPEL HAS BEEN RESTORED! and that Joseph smith was the tool God worked through to do this great work- THAT is what she needs to pray about- she got the chills and was covered in goosebumps- the spirit was really testifying to her! i was crying- so was the member friend we had there with us- it was beautiful. she felt it. I feel she will be baptized. Teaching all starts with believing in where people can be- it all starts with a vision, love, and then you proceed with faith and the spirit. that is how people come unto christ- the spirit.<br /></div>
ALSO! members language of love here is food- people have been taking us out to eat EVERY NIGHT to the NICEST FANCIEST restaurants!! its insane- seriously- every night from here until i go home is booked with fancy dinner appointments from members! and they aren't cheap! its really touching! and we dont even ask for it! people just wanna take us out before i go home and they all want to have a "special parting meal" its seriously so sweet-but yeah- its a lot of food lol and its DANG GOOD so i am just enjoying it. We went to this one restaurant saturday night that had vegan egyptian food and they brought us out these fancy drinks made from juiced flowers and spices- it was amazing! and healthy- so i was in heaven- i have never had egyptian food before- only in tallahasse!! so eclectic and cultural- its a lot like indian food.<br /></div>
Cora is progressing well- already doing missionary work! and Jackie got baptized! she is someone i have taught several times on exchanges so we are close. Also our investigator jolene, she is an older woman- in her 70's- she was playing the piano when we came over so i started singing while she played all her favorite baptist hymns and i loved it! so did she! she was so happy to have someone to play for it was precious- i told her i loved doing this with my grandma and that really touched her- i am almost never happier than when i am singing, especially when singing of our Savior and Heavenly Father. Pure joy for me, pure joy. I plan on pursuing singing more seriously when i return home. The spirit has impressed upon me that is important for my life and to share with others. It fills me with indescribable joy to sing for others and for God!<br /></div>
We have another MLC this week! my last one- crazy. crazy crazy. I cannot wait to see you all and run into your arms- but I am anxiously engaged in my work here until that time. We found a new investigator named hillary! she is a baggage lady at the airport and always sees missionaries there. she said she can sense a light about them- we taught her the restoration- i loved teaching that to her- i felt full of god's power and light! i will never stop being a missionary. I love you all!!!<br /></div>
Much love <3</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sis. Brooke Bertoldo</span><br />
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Jackie's baptism!</div>
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Pointing to my beloved Gulf Breeze on the Florida map</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-42045972705138827202014-07-07T11:57:00.002-07:002014-07-07T11:57:25.354-07:00"No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to service. Patience is obedience prolonged." - Maxwell<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear family-</div>
I have decided that every week on the mission is like a mini life- every week is truly a marathon of ups and downs and by sunday when i am reflecting back on the week I can hardly believe all that has transpired only to have another week before me.<br /></div>
A lot happened this week- there were some stressful times- our apartment got flooded at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_892747817" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:30 am</span></span> this wedsnesday- the kitchen the carpets- all of it! and no one could come and fix it until <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_892747818" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:30</span></span>! so that was rough dealing with that...and a few other things. But there is no need to dwell on those things- many wonderful things happened as well. Its seems like after the really hard days when opposition is just thick and ever present- i come home depleted and exhausted, and plead with the Lord for strength or forgiveness or comfort and better success the next day if its His will- but then there are those days that just feel like miracles- full of beautiful tender mercies where the hand of the Lord is evident and I come home full of peace, and joy and deep gratitude and awe at the Lord. And those always seem to outweigh the trials no matter how bad they are- so that is why at the end of the week I have nothing but good things to say- its not bc its always easy or bc only good things ever happen- quite the opposite actually- its just bc the good is so good it is impossible and wrong to dwell on the bad!<br /></div>
So- this week cora was baptized! she is amazing- I am so proud and amazed by her- such a faithful woman. her baptism was very small and spiritual no one in her family would come- but did this dampen her gratitude and spirits? no! all the people she loved most and who were dearest to her came from our ward. They even brought her thoughtful gifts which she is not accustomed to receiving. I sang "when I am baptized" for her directly to her, and she cried and cried.She was baptized with one smooth go and was absolutely glowing after! she then bore her testimony which was beautiful and powerful and pure- she cried and said- 'I will never miss a day- and i will never miss a sunday. I will never look back. I love my sisters who taught me. they are my family. I love them. This day is the beginning of my mission on earth." oh it was beautiful. Our investigator Violet came and she cried a lot and felt the spirit. She has still not fully committed to July 5th as her baptism date but she still studies and meets with us and keeps committments she is just getting a LOT of opposition- so keep praying for her. thank you for your prayers on her behalf! I know she will make it. The same with Marsha- she needs prayers she struggles with doubts bc of past beliefs and pre existing notions difficult for her to purge herself of- but she is trying. we had a break through lesson with her sunday! We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught from the BOM and I explained how both personal revelation and proper priesthood authority are needed in order to have the fulness and the two keep each other in check so to speak- we are expected to seek out our own answers after being taught by the words of our inspired prophets and apostles who have been given sacred priesthood keys- both are needed. she also had questions about repentance- i likened repentance to you dad. I told her that i knew you and mom love me unconditionally- but only bc i know just how much you love, i want to make you proud. so when i do something i know would disappoint you, i WANT to say sorry, not bc you wont love me if i dont, but bc i love you enough to come to you and apolagize, and then that is when you can pick me up dust me off and tell me you love me too and then i can move on without further guilt. that is repentance. when i put it to her like that she just looked at me and smiled- she got it- "so repentance isnt a bad thing..." she got it. anyways continued prayers for her!<br /></div>
Sunday our investigator shanon came to church for the first time! she loved it. i was so happy to see her! she is the one who lives at our complex next door. Cora's confirmation was beautiful it talked a lot about missionary work and how she will bring many of her friends to be baptized. i cried bc i know it is true. I cannot believe I am leaving in 2 weeks.<br /></div>
I hope ya'll had fun in new hampshire..i was thinking of you. </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love sister Bertoldo</span><br />
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Cora's baptism</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-75845510010829096852014-07-07T11:38:00.000-07:002014-07-07T11:48:03.853-07:00"A patient willingness to defer dividends is a hallmark of individual maturity." Neal A. Maxwell<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dearest family-</div>
Dad...Happy Father's day! I got your letter. I love you so much. The more knowledge God teaches me and the closer i come to Christ, the more i learn just how wise and Christlike you are. i mean it. Other than the gospel and the scriptures you and mom have been the greatest stabilizing rocks of my life.</div>
This week- Cora is STEADFAST AND ON TRACK for her baptism this saturday. she even brought her husband to church this sunday! she reads the scriptures and conference talks faithfully and when we asked her how she has come to gain a testimnoy of the scriptures and of the prophet Thomas S. Monson she said, " everytime I read their words and the books you give me to read, my room fills with light. That's how i know they are true." wow. I was blown away by that response!!!!!!!! then as she was saying the closing prayer after we finished reviewing her baptismal interview questions in her prayer she said, "I feel you here." then she was silent for some time, then immediately after feeling the spirit, with deep emotion she said, "father forgive me!" and started weeping- the spirit flooded the room- she cried on then said, "father I know you forgive me. I know you know I want to be baptized. i feel you. and I feel your forgiveness and love." She then struggled in the spirit for a while before closing. I am in awe of her faith and sincerity in repenting so whole heartedly. I was overcome. I knew we had just witnessed a woman going before her father in complete penitence and then received the miracle of forgiveness- and we witnessed it before our eyes. After she just wept and wept, with joy and relief, you could feel it. this woman has been through VERY hard dark things in her life- so to feel the Spirit sweeping away her guilt and healing her- i will never forget that. She is so ready for baptism. As i hugged her she clung to me and cried on my shoulder and said, "thank you. thank you for teaching me. Thank you." I will never forget that. i told her how proud and inspired i was by her- and proud i knew Her Heavenly father was.</div>
there is something i want to share with you guys- i have been studying Neal A. Maxwell's talk entitled "Patience". In it he says, "Patience is willingness to watch the unfolding process of God with a sense of wonder and awe rather than pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstance." that used to be me. I used to be resltess and impatient and anxious for the next thing, and for the fulfillment of my desires, and for the next phase of my life to come. but now? can i tell you- when i read that it hit me that now? I know longer feel that. In fact, now i fell EXACTLY what he describes as a willingness to watch the unfolding purposes of God with a sense of wonder and awe. I fell COMPLETE PEACE. that is a MIRACLE. that is a change in my very NATURE. but i do- i feel complete peace- my mission has been perfectly and painstakingly designed to help me cultivate this attribute of patience i so badly lacked before. this caused me to reflect- what caused this change in me? trust in God and learning to sumbit. humility. love for others. those are all the small lessons I have learned that added together have bred this new attribute of patience to be part of my nature. Every time we endure discomfort and suffering well, being motivated by a higher purpose to bless others rather than to gratify our own needs- everytime i have done this on my mission- set aside my own comfort for someone else's- my capacity to endure suffering without becoming anxious and frustrated has grown a little bit- and over and over again I have seen how God answers prayers and has a purpose to all things, even if they take awhile to unfold- so i have learned over the course of these 18 months and my 21 years on earth to truly trust the Lord. true faith must be tried and tried and tried again! then it is true faith if it still stands. "Patience permits us to detoxify our disappointments. How much we can take often determines how much we can GIVE." it is a miracle. he has changed me. he has changed my very nature, and truly, through His longsuffering towards me and christ's perfect love for me, some of my greatest weaknesses have been transformed into some of my greatest strengths! I am in AWE of God's workings with us as His children. Trust, humilty and love are all predecessors of patience- truly patience is faith at its finest, and a heavely attribute. I know I still have much to learn. But i am at peace. I am not in a hurry for the "next phase" or for my "blessings to be received and desires fulfilled." God is PERFECTLY aware of our needs- blessings wil come in their own due time when he sees fit. our job is to do well the task set closest to us, and to watch in wonder and awe as His purposes are fulfilled.</div>
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Had my last zone training which was great- I loved it. loved teaching. Many things have happened in the work but for the sake of time i will stop there. Please keep praying for cora, violet and marsha! I love you all cant wait to see you soon!</div>
Much love <3</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sister Bertoldo</span><br />
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Sister Chandler</div>
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All the sisters in my zone</div>
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Had to try grits for the first time before leaving the south...didn't like them!</div>
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Me and companion Sis. Holmoe</div>
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Beloved Cora</div>
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Southern estate</div>
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Me and Sis. Smith!</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-34725906608186393592014-07-07T11:27:00.005-07:002014-07-07T11:30:20.305-07:00"The pursuit of easy things makes men weak." Bruce R. McConkie<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear Family-</div>
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This week i had my last MLC! it was a 2 day retreat at the mission home. We had a bonfire and i got to throw the football with President before the meeting- great memory :) my finger actually got jammed from it! haha he is stronger than he knows! but its going down now...it was pretty bad. but worth it. This week was intense. (they always are!)</div>
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first off- our investigator cora! i am so proud of her- we taught her the law of chastity this week and WOW. She really internalized it and took it to heart- she stayed up all night reading the pamphlet we gave her and read every scripture listed. she is determined to repent and live it because she is DETERMINED to be baptized. I am so proud of her. She meets with us faithfully 3 times a week. she comes to church each week. the best part was after our last lesson she volunteered to say the opening prayer. Now- when we met her 5 weeks ago she was praying for the first time with us- and i remember it reduced her to tears. well, this prayer she gave? incredible.I could literally hear and feel the difference in her prayer, and could and hear and feel that she was closer to God than she was 5 weeks ago based on the way she prayed this time compared to her previous prayers. This is what its all about!!!!!!!!! baptism yes- but helping people draw closer to Christ to Heavenly Father. It touched my heart so deeply. I am so proud of her. i have been praying so fervently for her. I love her so much. She is getting baptized on the 21st.<br />
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Now for Violet. Our investigator Violet is a miracle. I am so humbled at the people God has entrusted and led me to here at the end of my mission. Truly- it is nothing but a blessing and a privilege. we taught her twice this week as well- we taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the POS. when we taught her the plan she cried bc it literally answered all the questions of her soul. she was feverishly taking notes of what we said! she is amazing! Then at the end we extended her baptismal date that we have been praying about- july 5th. and when we extended that- the spirit just flooded the room and she went stock still- for a moment i was almost worried bc she got so stiff and said nothing- then tears started streaming from her face and she said,"July 5th? I can't believe you picked July 5th.." everyone started feeling uneasy- but i got this awesome feeling- this feeling that July 5th is a powerfully significant day for her for some reason unbeknownst to us- and the fact that we picked it shows that it was from the Spirit bc He knows her and this is a beautiful tender mercy from the Lord! i felt it was a good thing she reacted like that. she then smiled and wrote down the date and cried and said she would tell us another time of why that date was so significant. it was a really CHOICE experience. She really is amazing. Soooo prepared! all god.so humbling.I pray for her and cora every single day- pray for them that they will be strengthened and protected from the adversary!</div>
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We had some tough times- but even those feel especially sacred to me here at the end of my mission- we got shouted at and told to "move it" by a woman once we told her we were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- but it was interesting bc it really didnt upset me at all- it made me sad of course that she had been falsely indoctrinated and wouldn't receive our message- but i got this very distinct feeling that those were words and encounters that Christ experienced as well as other prophets, missionaries, and servants of the Lord and I felt near to Him and those before me. </div>
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We had a really amazing experience with a woman named Francis- she had heard a lot of falsehoods of the church on tv- and started very defensively and attacked us even- but she said something that caught my ear- she said, "I am looking for the truth I don't want lies and a church of man! I have been through too much for more lies." the second she said that i took heart and felt very strong and empowered with the Spirit! I felt deep compassion for her. she was a truth seeker! I looked her dead in the eyes and said, "Then Francis you have come to the right place." I pointe out the name of our church- showing that we are Christ's church, not man's. I explained to her that anything we ever teach her pr tell her we advise her to not take our word for, but to ask god, the source of all truth, if what we say is true, or if what we say is lies. I told her i know she already has a relationship with God, and I know she is truth seeker, so I know He will reveal truth to her as she sincerely seeks it. Then her entire affect changed. she was calm- at ease...we then dove into the BOM and explained everything about it- how it relates to the Bible- how it came to be- why its called what it is- she was astounded- "that's it?!" she said- "That makes perfect sense!" she couldn't believe the lies that had been spun from the BOM- and how there was such a perfectly logical truth and answer to everything. we read how the Bible prophesies of the Bom- by the end she said, "I must read this book. or else I will never know if it's another testament of Christ or not." it was SO COOL!!!!!!!! That is one of my favorite parts about missionary work!!!!!!!!!! seeing people have a change of heart! that is one less soul who believes lies about the church, and about the BOM and one more soul who will begin to gain more understanding and knowledge of the truth!!!!!!! We gave her a list of scriptures top read. She asked us to pray for her family and opened up about some of the trials they were experiencing- we parted dear friends, bound by a spiritual experience because of the power of the Spirit contained in the BOM! it was a choice experience. many other things happened this week- but for the sake of time i will stop there. I love you all so much.</div>
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Love Sister Bertoldo</div>
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ps. found a turtle outside our apartment this week!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-48451460855112576462014-06-06T18:56:00.005-07:002014-06-06T18:56:58.006-07:00"First I obey, then I understand." - Marjorie Hinckley<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Dear family-</div>
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This quote means a lot to me. it summarizes my mission beautifully. what an attitude to cultivate- i adore Sis. Hinckley's humble, faithful, trusting approach in how she lived her life- obeying even before having full understanding- and then seen after taking action, seeing the wisdom of her heavenly father and why He asks and directs as He does. It is our job to obey Him, not question Him or bemoan so called "fate" or responsibilities- but to approach all realities or responsibilities/rules with the attitude of assurance that God would never ask something of us that will not ultimately be for our God and lead to become the people we need to be. We must trust in His love and His wisdom no matter the call- acting even without full understanding at times- trusting that understanding and blessings will ensue. this is the attitude i have strived to possess- this is the trust that i have come to cultivate after many patient lessons from my Heavenly father. I can truly say I have learned to trust the Lord and I have a firm resolve to obey Him in all things, whatever he may direct or ask- because i know He is taking care of me, and i know that additional knowledge and understanding WILL COME just as it has in the past.</div>
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This week was intense- i have a new companion! Her name is sister Holmoe! Her dad is the athletic director at BYU i knew her name sounded familiar! the cool part is I knew she was going to be my companion- i told everyine that bc i just had a feeling- and then it came true! I love her!!!! we get along great, she is loving, and we run every morning 2 miles! Right before she got here we set a baptismal date with our investigator cora for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_955487570" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 14th</span></span>! </div>
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We had 3 investigators at church this week- cora, phil, and evelyn. I havent gotten to tell you about Evelyn yet. amazing. evelyn is a woman we met and started teaching last week. she contacted us- bc she has been away from the church for 20+ years, her name was removed from the church- but she wants to be rebaptized. this is amazing! many things have happened in her life leading to this point- but she said it hit her like a ton of bricks while she was sitting in her church last week, she said, "this isnt it. I miss the priesthood. I miss the fulness." her heart is very tender right now and sensitive- but what a beautiful privilege and sacred experience it is to reteach this woman, and see her testimony be restored to her- she wants to be baptized as soon as possible. we meet with her 3 times a week! she even came to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_955487571" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this sunday</span></span> (despite many fears) for the first time in 20 years and it could not have gone better! she was so afraid, but afterwards she cried and said, "heavenly father took care of me- that could not have been better" and she cried and cried. she has read 20 chapters of Nephi in the course of only 2 days. incredible. I will never forget in her closing prayer after our lesson last night she cried and said, "thank you God, for my missionaries." I love when people say it like that, "my missionaries" it touches my heart bc you know and can feel in that moment that they will never forget you! Just as I will never forget them. it touched my heart and meant a lot to me. everything does now especially, with only 6 weeks left. I feel a surge of emotion well up in my heart every time I testify of the BOM knowing that my time to do so as a set apart missionary is short. My mind is more centered on my mission than ever before. I feel the desire to show God my devotion to the end, bc i know it is a reflection of my love for Him and His children, and my mission has been more beautiful, and He has made more of me and taught me more than i ever DREAMED and CONCEIVED possible!!!! and i even had high expectations- and oh how He has surpassed what i ever thought possible in the people He has led me to, the lessons He has taught me with such care and effort, all the opportunities He has given, and what He has allowed me to become. I am in AWE. I desire nothing but to serve Him faithfully to the end and throughout my life. My heart is overcome and I can barely feel the fatigue I am so overcome with the spirit. </div>
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We met a boy named Victor with a sweet Spanish family who speak a little English- we taught him about the BOM and he said over and over again, "Wow I cant believe this! oh!" and he would put his hand on his heart and say, "please, can i keep this?" i have never met a 15 yr old boy like that before. He is so sincere- just hidden in this little trailer in the woods- but HE IS KNOWN TO GOD. The desires of his heart are known to God! and that is why He led us straight to his door! also- a little boy in our ward, the oaks- they took us out to dinner and at the end the little boy said he wanted to ask me something- i said sure, and he said, "will you speak at my baptism?" i was so touched! it really meant a lot to me! his parents said they would be sure to do it before i left. oh- that really touched my heart. we also got to teach 2 teenage girls about virtue and the law of chastity- they were riveted and the spirit was very strong. I will never tire of testifying and teaching of the iportance of virtue to girls in todays world and how to be strong. We committed them to make a list of standards they would not break no matter who might ask them to.</div>
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I am very grateful to My Father in Heaven- I know if I just rely on Him all things will be as they should. I love you :)</div>
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Love sister Bertoldo</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-8457546669943718372014-06-06T18:47:00.003-07:002014-06-06T18:47:46.870-07:00"How Great Thou Art"<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear Family-<br /></div>
What a week!!!!!!!!! oh my gosh. ok so first off Rex got baptized!! it was amazing- started off stressful with planning but it all came together and was well attended and he was so full of JOY. the spirit was SO STRONG- the first counselor of our mission presidency was there for it and he said after having an interview with rex that he is one of the most, "well prepared for baptism" that he has ever had the privilege of meeting :) funny thing though! the font was having some technical difficulties so by the time it was time for him to be baptized it was drained halfway! so he had to get baptized laying down instead of standing! i was dying- but it turned out fine. He was confirmed this sunday and it was a beautiful blessing. He is one of the most exciting amazing conversions of my mission to witness. truly- amazing.<br />then- this week oh my gosh- we met violet.</div>
let me tell you about Violet. She is ELECT- we come out on missions searching for people like her- and in the last 6 weeks of my mission- God leads us to Violet. incredible. this woman is the most prepared person i have ever met on my mission and in my life. both me and my comp cried afterwards we were so overwhelmed with gratitude. She was a referral from a ward member who is her coworker. he has already given her a BOM and a D&C and she has been reading them! she is full of the light of christ!!!!!!!!! she GLOWS! her smile- my gosh, she glows. she is a special daughter of god. you can feel it. all her life she has noticed the church because of the mormon messages on family she saw all growing up- she said she always wondered why we cared so much about the family and she loved it. she said she has always wanted to know, and as we taught her, she took notes- she is truly the most sincere person i have ever met. you can feel it. as we were explaining, reading, and testifying of the Book of Mormon she was absolutely feeling the spirit- then we showed her a mormon message of the BOM and tears started streaming down her face. she has 4 kids, recently got divorced, and more than anything wants her family to be united and strong. We read 2 ne 25:23, 26 talking about how the gospel blesses families- we invited her to church this sunday. she came! she came. i prayed the night before specifically that she would hear messages specifically for her at church the next day. well all the sacrament meeting talks were on how the priesthood blesses families. I will never forget-after 2nd hour (our lesson was on the atonement) she suddenly broke down in tears. she was quiet- but she was sitting by me- and i could feel it! i could feel and see that the spirit was testifying to her of truth right before my eyes- it overwhelmed me and filled me with joy that i also began to cry. i have never seen that or felt that so directly before- the spirit just witnessing to her- i went to hug her and she just cried on me more. she told me through her tears, "i feel something..i feel something." but she never could get it out what she felt- i told her she was feeling the spirit. then i didnt talk anymore either bc i could feel that the Spirit was still talking. I will never forget that. </div>
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Then right after cora's lesson we get a call from Cierra telling us that her cousing Quinton just called her (the one who came to church last sunday) saying that he wants to be baptized and become a member of the church. he said he can't get the feeling he felt at church out of his mind and wants to be baptized.</div>
Our new investigator Cora also came to church. we gave her a church tour this week to help her feel more comfortable. she has been through a lot of heartache and abuse, and overcome a lot of terrible things- she came to church yesterday as well and loved it. relief society as well. Our investigator Alton also came to church! he too will be baptized soon. After so much work, care, prayer, study, persistence and patience- the lord is truly pouring out his spirit abundantly on us, leading us to elect- and MIRACLES ARE ENSUING! it is overwhelming! in the most beautiful amazing way. I am full of gratitude. These people are precious. </div>
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We also got to meet with wei- from China. We had quite a language barrier- but somehow we were able to communicate and teach the most important aspects of the God head and Book of Mormon. It was a very hot day, yet all i could think was how much God loved this woman- teaching her was a joy despite the language barrier and heat. oh what a privilege missionary work is!!!!!!! what a privilege! I loved teaching wei about her savior Jesus Christ- we even brought her a chinese BOM and she was overjoyed! we are seeing her again next week. so yes- this was quite a week- my new companion is sister Holmoe for my last 6 weeks. i am excited to meet her! the crazy part is- i knew it was going to be her. i just had a feeling :) God is good. i am going to sprint!! Love you all. so yes- to sum up my feelings of this week, it is truly, "how great Thou art."</div>
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Much Love</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">sister Bertoldo</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-84154578313755427022014-05-23T23:08:00.000-07:002014-05-23T23:08:13.348-07:00"With Faith, when nothing is certain, anything is possible." <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear family-</div>
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First off this week i had my LAST ZONE CONFERENCE. It was loaded. amazing, spiritually powerful, but emotionally and spiritually draining. Me and sis Harris taught for our last time together- President informed us privately that we will be splitting at this next transfer. For my last transfer I will be staying here and training the new Head STL. I am praying my tail off that I can finish strong and do all that God would have me do. Pray that i will be strengthened to do all that is needed. We taught on work ethic, attitude and accountability. </div>
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Rex is getting baptized this wednesday! He is one of the coolest investigators I have had the privilege of knowing and teaching!! His transformation is incredible and he is so prepared to which is the best part. He said when he first met us he was skeptical but he said, "you have taught me so much (really the Spirit taught him not us) and i thought i would just through the motions but i really have learned and grown, and want to be baptized." he asked me to sing at his baptism. i am so glad sister harris will be there for his baptism. He came to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1386319867" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this sunday</span></span>. So did our investigator Alton!! We have been working with him for months and we started meeting with him multiple times a week and he has really started progressing, all the patience and love is paying off he is really starting to have understanding! and he is reading the BOM and starting to really understand it. He also made a lot of friends at church. He is soon going to be ready for baptism- next transfer in the next few weeks :) Then we had an asian family come to church yesterday, and we are meeting with them again this weds to teach them more of Christ (they speak limited english so a guy in our ward who speaks chinese from his mission is coming with us to translate) they are SO SWEET! Our investigator phil came to church again as well- so we had a lot of investigators at church yesterday it was amazing!<br /></div>
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Ok so crazy story- we met another young man- eric, he is 27 and he is an atheist again because of how he was raised. He is a chemistry teacher. We really connected with him and he is a friend of a family on our ward (that is how wee met him) so we gave him a BOM and he said he is willing to learn more. We met with him again this week and taught him about the BOM- and committed him to read a chapter. He said he would- well funny thing he then texted later and asked me out to dinner!! its a really long story- and my companion and I were dying- but yeah i had to explain to him the whole missionary things and that we weren't allowed to date haha but I said we could continue to meet with him to teach him if he wants to learn, he said he did- he said that this is the most comfortable he has ever felt about opening up about his faith and discussing religion, and he said it is a really "vulnerable" thing for him- but he said that something about the BOM and us and the feeling he feels captivates him and compels him to learn more- I explained to him that that is the spirit- he said he feels it- and because of that and that alone he wants to learn more- so it is actually a really cool thing. Eric is very sincere and has had a hard life- but he really is a truth seeker and it has been really interesting to see that we met now have 3 "atheists" in our teaching pool all at the same time- and how the things we share with one individual helps with teaching the next- and they are all not atheists at all- they are all truth seekers, and truly people who are "kept from the truth only because they know not where to find it." I have deep love for each of them.</div>
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I know how precious each soul is to our Heavenly father- the world and cynicism taint our view and obscure our vision and understanding- but I have seen God purify and clarify my mind and open me to clearer understanding and views of myself, life, and Him, so I know He can do it and will do it with all His children if they seek it. I truly love and savor this sacred time as a missionary. </div>
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We had another lesson with mark and taylor (the ones who are engaged- she is a member he isn't) and wow did that go well!!! i had such anxiety over that lesson ALL DAY for some reason- bc iknew how much was riding on it- we were teaching the restoration- but it was cool bc as i was praying about it and got a very distinct prompting to invite a particular couple over to join us- we got it arranged. it all came to gether and the lesson went AMAZINGLY WELL! the couple we invited and them got along PERFECTLY and they just really hit it off- which is going to make all the difference in Mark's conversion long after we leave...how grateful I am for the promptings of the Spirit. this really is God's work. If we just counsel with the Lord he will direct our paths and grant unto us success. I love you all.<br /></div>
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Much Love,</div>
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Sister Bertoldo</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-68781984447543038262014-05-17T03:35:00.003-07:002014-05-17T03:35:34.653-07:00"Faith is a Principle of Power"<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear Family-</div>
First off mom happy mother's day! it was so good to hear your voice!! Oh i love you so much- i hope you had a great day- also thank you mom and dad for your letters!!! and postcards! they came at such perfect times!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now- we had a great week!!!!! we taught a TON of lessons! this week flew!!! Had a cool experience with our new investigator Keisha- she is a beautiful woman, with 2 daughters trinity 5 and Gabriella 6- they have a lot of struggles- well she has been praying for a sign to get closer to God she said she is "tired" and ready to do "His will not hers" well then we come to her door! she knew it was sign from God. What she wants more than anything is to be led to a Good man that she can trust and give her heart to and that will be a good father to her children. They've had hard experiences that broke my heart. W</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">e got a return apt to meet with her again- we taught her the restoration the second time and we only got through the first half. we started trying to set up another return appointment when she said, "I really want to hear the end of this- is it possible for you to come back later today?" ha! it was awesome! we did- we came back later that day to teach her the remainder of the Restoration focusing on the priesthood and WOW! she loved it- she is so prepared- it was so cool to hear someone request to meet with us twice in one day! at then end we all had a prayer holding hands (southern style prayer) and i peeked open my eyes to soak in the scene around me- her two little girls on either side of me, listening to their mother prayer in their little apartment- the spirit was in that room and my heart was touched i couldn't help but tear up with gratitude. Also- we met a couple from Haiti- older couple- we were able to teach them about the BOM and they both accepted one. the spirit was very strong they were a very close, faithful couple. we had a very meaningful discussion and answered all his questions about the Bible and BOm and how they relate. at the end of the lesson-the older man looked at me and said in his thick accent,completely out of the blue, "when you marry, let it be a bond of respect. not about the outside, about the inside- honor." no clue where that came from but he was so serious! He kept giving us marriage advice, talking about respect, and dignity and honor and that "lasting marriage takes sacrifice" and be respected friends first- it was so cute!! it really touched me- at the end he insisted on hugging us both- even though we tried to shake his hand- he reminded me of Grandpa.</span></span><br />
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our investigator rex is on the road to baptism! a couple more weeks- and we met with Marsha again- we really had a meaningful lesson on the Creation and Adam and ever focusing on Agency and the principle of opposition in all things. we told her if she really wants to get answers she has to follow the prescribed pattern as outlined in Alma 32 and Moroni 10- receive/read (be open and accepting) ponder (deep thought and mental exertion and study) pray in faith and real intent and sincerity- be willing to act in faith trusting that additional knowledge will come- she said that because of the people we are she feels safe to be more open and honest to explore, earn and accept the things we teach and it gives her a chance to be more honest with herself in learning for herself and obtaining her own answers- that was SO BEAUTIFUL- to hear- things like that are tender mercies and miracles and confirmations of the Spirit that I am where I need to be doing what I am meant to be doing. Also her fellow shipper KathyLynn is amazing- they have been friends for years. i just love marsha! I feel I have known her forever- I know she will be converted wholly one day. I know faith is a principle of power that leads to hope, which leads to vision, which leads to action, which leads to us seeing the Lord's purposes being fulfilled through us. I love you all so much.<br /></div>
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I love you all so much <3</div>
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Sister Bertoldo</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-5879147231430824012014-05-09T03:16:00.001-07:002014-05-09T03:21:42.307-07:00Cool Experiences<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear family-</div>
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This week we taught catherine (the girls I met on FSU) the POS right before she left to go home for the summer. i felt such overwhelming love for her and testified of the POS from a very deep part of my heart that has never come out in a lesson before- I told her to ask God to help her remember who she is and all that she promised she would do on earth, and how she can become that- i told her that i did that and that is how i came to come on a mission, and he Has answered me and revealed myself to me and who i really am- i can feel Gods love for her. I am so grateful I met her- she wants to be baptized- i referred her to the missionaries there and i know she will continue learning and be baptized before the summer is out. we will forever be friends. i thank God for that choice experience of finding her- that was nothing but a blessing for us both. Also- on that exchange- the most amazing experiences happened. again- i feel and am aware that God is giving me select experience, purposefully at the end of my mission. they are blessings. </div>
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Met a man while on an exchange with a sister, while walking to campus, he was homeless and sleeping under a bench- it was raining- we spoke to him. we got involved in a good spiritual discussion, and i began offering him a BOM- he said he wouldn't accept it unless he knew "i knew his Bible" haha i have been waiting my whole mission for someone to say that to me! I mean i am in the south!!! he said "if you can answer these 3 questions, i will consider accepting your book." well i told him to ask away- he asked: who was the greatest king? I said King David. He said what was his downfall? i said Bathsheba. he smiled and said- those were basic- then he asked, who was the man to walk with God without death? "Enoch" then he smiled and got excited and said, Oh you do know your Bible!! then i tried to read a verse from the BOM on faith vs hope (we were discussing it earlier) in Moroni 7:40-42- he consented and as we finished reading he said, "oh i feel the spirit!" so again i offered him the book and told him it would help clarify the Bible for him and give him more complete understanding- he said- if you can answer this, i will take the book (i know he wanted to take it he was just being stubborn) so i knew i would be able to answer it bc i knew god wanted him to have it! haha so i said ask away- he asked, "what is the shortest verse?" and I said, "jesus wept." he clapped his hands and laughed and took the BOM and said give me that dern book! I'll read it! haha it was so great i was laughing my head off. </div>
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then i testified of it and he got real serious and started opening up about his life and how he became "homeless" we just listened. then he said, "I want to know where you meet. I want to learn more. you know why? because you have been so considerate. I was having a bad day. felt lonely and forgotten. You've brightened my day. I feel the spirit. Because you have been so considerate I want to learn more. I will read this book." I just shook his hand and said, "John thats because we know you are a son of God." he smiled ear to hear. it was a really cool experience. that was a special parting memory god gave me at the end of mission. </div>
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Also met a man named dave- 33 year old atheist- raised by atheist parents we met him in the chapel of our church. I don't have to time to say all that happened- it was amazing though- he was the most sincerely deceived and conflicted person i have ever met- our lesson lasted nearly 2 hours of intense heartfelt discussion and teaching- he is also very educated. His main questions surrounded the Atonement and after life, and many other aspects of the gospel he believed was a lie, but i could feel he was sincere not trying to debate so we continued- then he said, "how do you believe? have you ever doubted and how did you overcome doubt?" we discussed faith, i had to reach into the innermost parts of my testimony. heart and experiences to answer him- i have never felt the spirit speak with more power and authority through me then during that lesson. he said, "If i could hear something i could accept as a truth- i would be willing to change my ways. i would believe." again- i could see his faith growing! thats when we turned to Moroni 10 and invited him to go to God and ask him if he was there, and help him recognize his presence. he asked me how old i was- then he said, "i can feel you are sincere and earnest. you really believe. you're really passionate." then i asked him, "do you think i am sincerely deceived?" he went white and said, "thats exactly what i think....but don't you think the same of me?" I said yes- thats exactly what i think, and thats why i am inviting you to go to the source of all truth and ask him to reveal truth to you- it doesn't matter what i believe- what matters is the truth God reveals to you, and your willingness to accept it. and Dave- i know you are sincere so i know if you ask him He will speak to you" he was stone silent. then he said, "this meeting has meant a lot to me. I want to pray right now. i want to ask him right here right now." ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! i stared tearing up!!!!!!!!!! he said, "i don't know how to pray but i am willing to pray bc i really do want to know. I have always wanted to know. how do you pray?" we told him how to pray, and then with all sincerity, he prayed- i will never forget he said, God, are you there? are you really there- an actual tangible being? and not something abstract? Please answer me in a way i will understand and know, and i know that if you are real you will know how to do that because you will know my heart." he closed in the name of christ- oh the power of that prayer!! after his entire affect changed...literally that experience deepened my own testimony of the reality of God.he looked at me and smiled and said-" i've never prayed in Christ's name before." he seemed stunned- i asked how he felt and he stood and said, "exhilarated!" i cried and told him thats the spirit! you just experienced it! I told him he had just demonstrated so much faith! he was beaming he said, " i would like a book of Mormon. if i am going to know if this is true or not i need to really study it. Im going to read that whole book." then he asked to meet more of "us" and asked if we would invite him to future events- all this change wrought because of praying in Christ's name- that experience was a gift and blessing. what a choice experience.</div>
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Love sister Bertoldo<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-86699148556075672832014-05-09T03:08:00.001-07:002014-05-09T03:08:45.604-07:00"Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding" Proverbs 9:6<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Dear Family-</div>
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Wonderful week. Earlier this week we had the privilege of taking out new sisters in the mission for training along with the AP's. we had 2 new sisters this time (the numbers are getting smaller!) we each took one new sister and went Family History contacting and OYM'ing (opening our mouths) on FSU campus. I was praying fervently that we would be led to even just one person who was truly prepared. and we were. we had a few difficult encounters but persisted and then came to find two girls sitting in the grass- felt the pull to talk to them and we did. Turns out that one of them- catherine- has been searching for the truth and a church in the past few months- trying to find God- she is humble, meek and submissive. I love her. She is freshman at FSU- as I sat there teaching her the beginnings of the gospel in the grass on beautiful FSU campus, with a brand new sister missionary at my side- I cant think of a time when i have ever been happier. WEll- we have met with her twice since then! She came to church yesterday after we gave her a tour the day before and everything was tailored perfectly to her needs! We went to the singles ward with her and she was so well fellow shipped everyone just enveloped her in love! she is going home for the summer but she already looked up the church and the missionaries in her home town and is set on attending and learning and being baptized! We had 4 investigators come to church this sunday. Then catherine called after church asking if we could meet one more time before she left home for the summer! the day she gets baptized- i will be there- forever grateful God let me find her and teach her- she is a valiant humble and prepared soul.</div>
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I sang at the funeral for Brother Douglas- it was very emotional. It was a very spiritual experience- I know Grandpa was there- i prayed he would be. We have MLC tomorrow and wedsnesday- im excited! its 2 days long, and they are doing some sort of special activity so I look forward to that. Our investigator Rex is excited and ready for baptism on the 17th- he said, "i'm ready whenever you say i am!" A lot has happened this week i am a bit emotionally drained so this email is short but much good has happened. Mom- thank you for the letter. I love you guys. For all you do. Dad- we had another lesson with Marsha- the one we met with on Easter? she had questions concerning the creation and adam and eve- she believes in Evolution we taught her and answered pretty well but I told her I would talk to you and see if you and mom had any insights you would like to offer her? you can just email them to me and I will print them off and go over them with her at our next lesson. Our investigator Tosh is now praying about baptism and she came to church this weekend! I love you all.</div>
Sister Bertoldo</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-34490724003016926902014-04-21T22:52:00.003-07:002014-04-21T22:52:18.784-07:00He is Risen<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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What a week this has been- this was an Easter I will never forget. The day before easter, we had an hour before our next few appointments, so we said a prayer that we would be inspired to know whom to see that needed us most at this exact time- then a family was immediately brought to our minds- the douglas family. We immediately went to see them- and when we got there the LA daughter answered the door- she told us that they had just gotten back from hospice, and that her mom, Donna had just passed. shcok. I was shocked. She invited us in and ran to get her dad- he is the most faithful man i think I have ever met. His wife Donna had a stroke years ago and has been in a vegetative state for years, but he has loved her and stood by her faithfully nonetheless. True love. the last time we came over he was feeding her and talking to her like she was perfectly fine. well- he came out- and all he got out was , "Sisters" and then he started weeping...it was gut wrenching. he sat down on the couch beside me and started telling us of his last moments with her. then he looked at me and said he thought of me (he loves music) and he asked me if i would sing at her funeral, her favorite song, "Peace Like a River". I started crying just seeing him in his heartache- and of course said yes- I just feel really humbled. its a beautiful song, she was an incredible woman, and he is a faithful man, their love is inspiring. How beautiful it was to be able to then testify to him of the resurrection! To testify that Christ lives and because of that the "sting of death is swallowed up in Christ" and he will see her again, and this time she will be glorified, and perfected, and she will be able to speak to him and run to him, like she hasnt done in years! He just wept and wept, the spirit was so strong! and all of this hope bc of Christ. We shared Mosiah 16:8-9 my favorite scripture of the ressurrection. I have a testimony of the Living Christ and the hope that comes from Him both in this life and the life to come!<br />We also had a lesson with Mark, (the one I asked you to pray for)Taylor's nonmember fiance- he cooked us dinner it was so fancy :) they came to church<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_318932428" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this sunday</span></span>!!! Big deal...we introduced them to the people in the ward that we felt inspired to have them meet and they really hit it off!! Our investigator Rex came to church as well- he is on track to get baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_318932429" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">May 17th</span></span>. We also gained a new investigator on Easter- her name is Marsha, she was at dinner with us at a members home, they are good friends- well i just loved her! after lots of laughs and conversation- we shared our message of Christ- we showed her an easter mormon message then read in John and Mosiah about the resurrection- her heart was pierced- she opened up to us about the death of her mother- we had a beautiful discussion...she now is open and wants to learn about the plan of Salvation. Oh how marvelous the Plan of our God! </div>
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I have just been waking up happy lately. I wake up, and feel indescribable peace and gratitude. I love being a missionary. I love the call. I love the work. It's exhausting and utterly draining- but I cannot believe how much I am learning and how closely God is walking with me. I wake up in a state of peace and joy I have never experienced before in my life, or even on my mission until now. It's unearthly- this week we also got the position of Head Sister Training Leader organized, which has been a goal of mine- I can't leave this mission until I know its all organized and I have my part so that it will be organized that come for the sisters after us. And we did it :) its beautiful. It took a lot of phone calls and time, but God really helped it along and now all expectations are clearly laid out and full order is established :) I am at peace with it. We also had the opportunity of training 2 new Sister Training Leaders- what a joy teaching is to me and how much i always end up learning. I now know each of the 100plus sisters in our mission officially by name :) Sister Smith told asked us to prepare for teaching the sisters at an all sisters conference! What a joy to do especially at the end of my mission- she asked us to ponder what needs to be shared- and then teach it. We are meeting with her next week to discuss our ideas and coordinate all the logistics. I feel so blessed and humbled at all the Lord is teaching me and all the opportunities He is giving me to help me learn and grow. I rely solely on Him for everything- I cannot express that enough- I love Him and am more aware than ever at all He has done for me. </div>
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I love you all very much. happy Easter!</div>
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Much Love-</div>
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Sister Bertoldo</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-74497623850971005342014-04-21T22:34:00.002-07:002014-04-21T22:34:23.082-07:00Why Should We Think To Earn a Great Reward if We Now Shun the Fight? <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dearest Family-</div>
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I have a lot in my heart right now. This week has been the kind where time seemed irrelevant and God just used this week to spend time with me and teach me. Some lessons very hard- but He was there with me and miracles ensued. I am almost overcome with all the miracles that took place- innumerable. I have come to truly feel He is my Father, I truly feel sustained, heard and close with him and I have never been able to communicate so closely to the Infinite. </div>
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This week me and sister harris taught at Zone training- we taught about having the courage and the faith to open our mouths in under the most uncomfortable, difficult circumstances- WE MUST OPEN OUR MOUTHS! this is something that has been the greatest struggle for me at the beginning of my mission- but it is something the Lord has worked with me on- and through other experiences my trust in Him has built so my courage to do that which is difficult has increased, so OYM'ing is now something I am passionate about and can teach and testify of without feeling like a hypocrite. well it went very well (the teaching) God was with us, and the Spirit was there. I cant believe how much i love teaching, administrating and speaking- i always feel a bit daunted when the calling comes initially- but then it drives me to my knees and causes me to rely fully on my Heavenly father and His Spirit and then I get to experience the miracle of feeling Him speak through me and enhance my words- i know its not me- I know its Him- and that's why I pray so earnestly for His Spirit to be with me.that is the purpose of great responsibilities being placed on our backs- growth. humility. faith. trust. realization we need Him, something higher than ourselves. then MIRACLES ENSUE and he NEVER LETS US FAIL WHEN WE DO IT HIS WAY! With our way there is no promise-</div>
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I have more stories from this week than can be typed in a letter- but i will share a few</div>
we received 2 media referrals. One woman, Linda, we brought a BOM to and a Bible and explained to her and testified of the BOM- we read 2 Ne 26:24, Hel <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_318932413" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:12</span></span>, and 1Ne 3:7, explaining what they meant to me so she could feel the power of the book without us having to say a word- the power is in the BOM itself. her eyes welled with tears and she said, "I never knew, I never knew of this book. This is what I've been missing." and she cried and held the book to her heart. we both were overwhelmed by her sincere response and i thought- this is why i came out on my mission- to find those "who never knew" but are seeking. those words keep ringing in my ear...the spirit confirmed our message is true. Linda will be baptized one day- pray for it. Also I was on an exchange with a sister and we had the opportunity of doing a lot of OYMing we talked to EVERY PERSON GOD PLACED IN OUR PATH- well we were at the park and taught a woman about eternal families and the BOM, and got her info and she wanted to come to church. </div>
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Then as we were leaving, I saw 2 teenage girls sitting under a pavilion listening to loud music and one of them was smoking. the spirit urged me to talk to them- i resisted bc they were engaged in deep conversation and looked angry- it was very AWKWARD to interrupt them...but as we were fixing to leave, again the prompting came and i could not deny it and i thought about how I had just taught other missionaries to act even in awkward/uncomfortable situations, and i knew i had to follow through with my words- so i said, "sister- we have to go talk to those girls." we walk up- awkward -i am not normally awkward- but let me tell you- that was awkward- she breathed smoke in my face and looked at me like, "what do you want?" the only though that came was "just be real" so i was. I said, "i saw you guys sitting here and kept getting the feeling to talk to you. hows your day going?" they softened significantly- and we talked a bit- we found out they were 15 and came from very broken families- the only thought that came was to tell them they were daughters of God and He loves and knows them- I asked them if they ever talk to God? the one girl, Cheyenne, the one not spoken was very spiritual and lightened up the second we mentioned God's love for her- she just softened. She said," I pray every night." and from there we talked of prayer and God and how he helped me through hard teenage years, and got their numbers and hugged them each goodbye. </div>
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Well, later that day we were contacting a LA family and who should pull up in the car of the home we just walked to than Cheyenne in the car with her aunt, who we were coming to see! we were astonished to see her and she us! she ran out of the car (we were shocked how different she seemed and happy to see us) and said, "I told my aunt about you and here you are! how are you here?" and she threw her arms around me- i was so touched and in awe- the timing of it! if we hadn't opened our mouths and spoken to her earlier, we would've missed out on this miracle. </div>
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Earlier this week, we met with Takuya again (our Japanese investigator who had never heard of Christ) and he came to us and said, "My grandpa die last week. It's very hard- I'm not there with my family." i welled with tears, amazed how I could relate. he then thanked us for teaching him about family history because he said, it made him think of his grandpa while he was still alive, so he had been thinking of memories of him before he got the news he had passed away. then he turned to me and said, "Will you teach me how to pray? so i can feel near. Its very hard." oh- how i love that boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<wbr></wbr>!!! oh the spirit was so strong!!!!!!!!!!!! we taught him how to pray- we explained Christ's resurrection and how he would see His grandpa again. We showed him a video of Christ's life and Resurrection, after I asked him, "how do you feel? With tears in his eyes he said, "I feel better, because I know Christ knows me, and He knows my grandpa- so we know someone who knows us both. so we are closer." then he put his hand on his heart and cried. the most beautiful part was then when we asked him to pray- the first prayer he has ever prayed- we had the PRIVILEGE of teaching him and hearing that tender, heartfelt humble prayer, from a Japanese boy, who Heavenly Father has been longing to hear from for a long time i'm sure. i will never forget what he said in that prayer. it was the most beautiful thing i have ever heard. Every soul is great in the sight of God. These are a few of the things that took place this week. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">me and sister harris are together another transfer! we are training 2 new sisters coming in this transfer- i am so excited! also- taylor's fiance Mark now wants to take the discussions!!! Please pray for Mark- please- i have a vision for this family! Please pray for mark that he will have a soft heart and open mind and feel the spirit as we teach him and be baptized. I love you all. Yes- mom i will be calling on mothers day :) i love you. happy easter! what a wonderful season- Christ. new life, new starts, hope, and eternal life, bc of Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Much Love, Sister Bertoldo </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-24462082828823396132014-04-21T22:14:00.000-07:002014-04-21T22:14:07.840-07:00"It was the Load." -Elder Bednar<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dearest Family-</div>
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Hope you had a great conference! Dad- it was so good to hear from you it sounds like you and Jared had a great time! and mom- thank you so much for the easter package! that made my day! Both of your letters meant so much to me- thank you.<br /></div>
I loved Conference- our investigator Alton came and we were so happy. We had another MLC this week and it went really well- President had us meet like a council rather than a "lecture" set up and i loved it- so much more effective we really got some issues resolved and we did it all together as a group- it was cool. </div>
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I went on an exchange with a sister who has been seriously considering going home- I prayed so much before that exchange, that Heavenly father would guide my words and our conversation, so that she could be empowered and inspired to stay. well wow- the Spirit led that discussion- I was really open with her about some of my struggles i've faced on my mission, and I shared with her how i overcame them and then I told her, bc i felt overwhelmingly to tell her, that there would be people she won't meet until the end of her mission that will change her life and she will change theirs. I know it. I told her how missions change, and for all she knows this could be the hardest part of her whole mission! hard times are temporary- just tests-If she can get through this, great blessings will follow on her mission, I know the Lord has experiences, choice experiences in store for her towards the end of her mission- worth staying out for! so worth it! She started crying and then smiled the biggest smile and said, "you just gave me hope!" and she just kept crying and crying, so happy. then we had the opportunity to teach a girl preparing for her mission, we taught her how we prepared and so forth- well that was the best thing for this sister- as she testified of why she came on a mission and how she prepared I could feel the Spirit testifying to her that her decision to come and serve was right! she will be so blessed! I know this sister will stay! It was such a beautiful experience.</div>
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I loved what Elder Bednar said, "it was the load." how true that is- that was answer to prayer. That changed my perspective on having heavy responsibilities placed upon my shoulders- it is the load that enables us to progress and move forward on the straight an narrow path! it is the road that focuses us and accelerates us to be able to attain and achieve and fulfill! rather than feeling drained, overwhelmed, or daunted by heavy loads/responsibilities placed on my back, I will forever see them as an empowerment and seek them out! I was so grateful for his words! They were an answer to prayer- for this short 15 weeks I have left on my mission I will carry this load and let it move me in progression on the path to eternal progression! I have a whole new perspective- not one of fatigue, but one of empowerment and gratitude! It is the load that brings happiness- not waiting for the load to be alleviated! well, our lesson with Taylor (the woman i was talking about last time) went well, we got to meet her nonmember fiance! We established a good relationship with him- they really opened up to us. We have a new Investigator Keisha. </div>
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I love you all- you are in my prayers and thoughts always <3<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Much Love Sister Bertodo</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-1892410746028924272014-04-21T22:10:00.000-07:002014-04-21T22:10:18.462-07:00Communion with God <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear Family-</div>
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Well this was a different week- really weird week- but hey- who said a mission would be easy! Even with the disappointments there were some amazing things that happened throughout the week. </div>
The first one i wanted to share was meeting Taylor. Taylor is in her 20's she just had a baby, and moved out here from Utah 3 years ago. Her whole family is active- she just kind of got lost in the shuffle, and she is now engaged to the father of her baby. Well, her little brother is on a mission right now- he sent us a referral to go and see her- begging us to help her get back to church, he said, "i know she wants it she is just scared." we were so touched- this elder out there just like us is away from his family- so he reaches out to us, while we are away from our family but near his, to strengthen her. Missionary work is the coolest! Well when we got there she started crying and couldnt believe we came bc she said she has been wanting to come back ever since she had her daughter and then she cried and said, "the most important thing i can do is get her back safely to heavenly Father." she said she has been scared- i asked why she's scared and she said she's scared of being judged and coming back to church now that she has a baby, tattoos and no husband. I have never felt such love for someone. We assured her no one will judge her out here and that we will be there every step of the way. She emailed her brother on his p-day and told him we came by and that she is going to be meeting with us every week now, she said he said, "Are they kind and loving to you?" she said Yes, and she said he was overjoyed. Pretty cool.<br /></div>
We also met a woman named Kristel, most amazing story ever- only in Tallahassee can you find such people, seriously! she is from Jamaica- she was converted and baptized at age 9 then converted and helped baptize her whole family! she then went out proselyting with the missionaries until she was 13- and she said she was on fire and loved and had such a burning testimony! then when she was 13 she came to America, and got pregnant when she was 15, and apparently, the church treated her poorly and kind of "kicked her out" or at least that was her perception, and her family disowned her as well, so she was devastated and heartbroken because she already knew she had done wrong and couldn't handle the judgement, and hasn't been to church since. its been 10 years. we met her daughter, who is now 10 and she is beautiful, spiritual girl. well- we listened to her- and she she said, "so now is where you can leave like every other missionary bc i am too far gone." well- we just bonded- i had her laughing up a storm! she kept saying, "oh you are hilarious! I have never met a missionary like you!" and she would just crack up haha and i have never felt more at home with anyone! i felt like i had known her for years! and i told her that. well- then we got down to it- we explained how sometimes the people, even thought the doctrine they are taught is sound and true, they can still use their agency wrong. I urged her to not let the poor actions of others interfere with her testimony and hold her back from the blessings i know Heavenly Father wants to give her and her family. We asked her if she still had a testimony of the Book of Mormon- she said she wasnt sure anymore- we urged her to read it again for her sake- I proposed that she take the lessons again and experiment and see if she could re-discover her testimony- regardless and separate from past experiences we told her, its about the doctrine- go to god, and ask him as you learn if these things aren't true and he will answer her. We told her how much we know God loves her, especially considering that she had been missionaries like us and helped many people enter into the covenant of baptism in Jamaica! we told her, "God loves you for that! He loves us even if we mess up." I told her that if after taking all the lessons again and reading the Book of Mormon if she still didn't have a testimony and that fire again then fine, and she will be no worse off then she is now- but she has everything to gain! she was silent for awhile- but then she said, "I have had a lot of missionaries try- i've never listened in the past. or i will just lie and then cancel on them later- but because of your spirits- i will sincerely pray about taking the lessons." ah- it was so amazing.....she then ended up digging out her old photo album of her baptism and missionary work in Jamaica as a girl- it was so cool- she was so happy talking about it! and sis. Harris was explaining the Book of Mormon to her daughter- it was incredible.<br /></div>
We also met with Philip again- and he really opened up! we had a great lesson. Harmyni and raykell and Cierra all got to come to the General Women's Broadcast! so that was awesome- and yesterday at church i sang for the first time in this ward- i sang, "If you Could Hie to Kolob"- the Lord really blessed me. Our investigator Tosh and Phil both came to church to hear it :) that meant so much to me. I register for classes today! crazy. </div>
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Much Love sister b</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-68542504195524541562014-03-24T23:50:00.002-07:002014-03-24T23:50:48.150-07:00"Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue" 2 Peter 1:5<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dearest family-</div>
tons happened this week! </div>
well this week we had a sister from the Ukranian mission stay with us- she is now in our mission! We went to dinner at olive Garden with President and sister smith and the Aps after the airport and then she stayed the night with us and we drove her (4 hours) to her new area in Panama City! also President asked us and the AP's to join him at his house to talk to the youth of his home stake about missionary work, and how we prepared, and what we had to give up, and what we loved most about serving- it was so awesome! we got to skype with the youth at their stake activity to talk to them :) i loved it.</div>
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We set a baptismal date with our investigator Asha for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990099350" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">April 9th</span></span>- so that was exciting! we taught her the Word of Wisdom and that is another thing i am passionate about teaching and testifying of i have learned- it went great. The weather is really nice now- 70-80 degrees every day so i am a huge fan of that! </div>
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We had a few really cool experiences this week- we went to man home in the ward who is very active but his wife had a stroke and is now a vegetable- and he still loves her and talks to her and takes her out- his love for her is inspiring and pure. he is a noble man- well we went over to see them and his 30ish year daughter answered the door- she is not an active member anymore. Her dad came home with his wife in the wheelchair and they let us in. I know his daughter has had a very hard life- i could just feel her hurt from talking with her- it really broke my heart. well we started giving our lesson after talking with her a bit- about general conference- that is when she let us know she is methodist and happy there- we said we respected that and just read from the bible in Ephesians where it talks about prophets- we were testifying of prophets and then she just started crying and telling us all her feelings on hierarchy within the church- we listened- and as we did the Spirit really helped us to discern her needs that she wasn't verbalizing and we were able to expound in such a way that she had personal understanding and she softened- we then began talking about the Book of Mormon and invited her to read it- again tears came and she expressed that she had before but didn't understand the necessity- again the spirit helped us discern her unspoken needs and address the root of her needs and she understood, listened and softened- i then felt overwhelming love for her- i expressed that to her and said, "i know God is aware of you and your pain and he has been along- i want you to know I know God loves you and you are a special daughter to Him bc I can feel a portion of His love for you and it is immense." i actually cried expressing that to her- which i rarely do in lessons in front of people- but i could feel she has been through a lot and feels no one is watching over her- so after that was said- she burst into tears- we read Ether 12:4- she said she would read the Book of Mormon again and just start there. </div>
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Thats when i looked over and saw her faithful father- with tears in his eyes- his wife a vegetable beside him- and my heart just broke he looked at her and said, "Jamie when I'm at the altar of the temple, i miss you there." and then this faithful old man started to weep! it was truly heart wrenching to witness the pain within a family divided in faith- at the eternal level- at the close of the lesson, we asked him who he wanted to say the prayer, and this faithful man took the hand of his drooling wife and said, "sweetheart, would you like to say it?" I was shocked- both of us were shocked he asked her when she could barely speak- but i know he was in pain and probably needed to hear the voice of his wife and faith she could do it, so we just bowed our heads and waited. She started gurgling and making noises- but then as it went on- full lines could me made out, she said, "thank you for what we have learned this day father, please let hearts be softened and minds be opened. In Jesus Name I pray amen." i will never forget that. I was trying not to sob!! her husband was so proud and excited by her words- we hugged them all goodbye and jamie just kept crying- i know we will see her again. </div>
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We also have a new investigator named Philip- he is currently living in the shelter, older black man- i love him DEEPLY- he is so prepared- a a member found him after praying for a missionary experience- its a cool story. he has no teeth and is really hard to understand! haha i need to take a picture of him- he is so cool. also we went to see a family that just moved in that's having a hard time- they have 3 kids 2 little boys 4 Markesh and pedro 5 and then a 1 yr old little girl- their living conditions are- heartbreaking- they got baptized 2 months ago before moving to tally- we went over there to teach them the Plan of salvation and when we were there we got news that they were being moved to the homeless shelter in 4 hours- the parents were frantically packing, i wasnt sure what to do at first- i asked what i could do to help and the 4 year old Markesh said, "pray." I then saw the kids were afraid by the commotion- so we went and had a private lesson with them in the corner while the parents packed.we prayed with them and taught them how to pray- then Markesh said he wanted to pray- he said one of the most REVERENT prayers i have ever heard- it touched me to my core. i love those kids. he is a special spirit. they came to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990099351" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this sunday</span></span> and sat with us, i sat in between the two boys and gave them mints and drew pictures of Jesus with them and just focused on them in sacrament, helping them be reverent and listen- oh i love them so much!! after sacrament pedro the 5 yr old ran to me before leaving and hugged my legss then looked up at me and smiled his adorable smile and said, "i love you sista b." yeah- i cried. I love him too.</div>
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<br /> I am studying virtue right now. I am reading the stories of the women of the Bible in addition to the BOM each morning to help me learn from their examples of virtue- i am learning a lot. I just read ruth today. well much more has happened but for the sake of time I will close there. I have a testimony that god is in the details of our lives. He answers prayer. i have seen that a lot this week- he hears our prayers i know it.</div>
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Much love-</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sister Bertoldo</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-92011642429246358732014-03-19T18:27:00.002-07:002014-03-19T18:27:18.632-07:00Family History Miracles <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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Dear family-<br /></div>
I spent most of my time sending out private emails to you all so i do not have time for my mass email! but i have it all written in my journal so i will tell you all about it when I get home. thank you haley and ashley for your package!!!!!! I loved it!!!!! it made my life haha really. ask my comp how happy i was :)) love you guys. this week tons happened- one thing i must share is that we had a miracle where i went on an exchange-</div>
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well at the end we were led to a random street we didn't plan to go to- and we decided that on this particular street we only had a short amount of time left so we would knock 4 doors before our next appt. well the first 3 nothing- then the 4th door a woman came to the door- we opened with introductions then asked her "do you know where your family comes from?" the second she opened her mouth i heard a familiar accent- Grandpa. Before she even answered i knew. "Iran". she said. I told her about Grandpa- about how I had been able to find some of his ancestry (she was concerned she wouldn't be able to bc she was from Iran. she completely had a change in attitude when I told her about Grandpa- she lit up like a tree! she kept saying, "I cant believe that!" she has only been here for 8 years- she then asked us 2 questions, the first she said, "did your grandpa convert?" I told her he did and she was dumbfounded but riveted- she then said, "why do you do this? what value is there in this for you?" oh- man- then I got to testify! about the plan of salvation- how we draw closer to them and they to us as we engage in their work and how that adds to your sense of self and the legacy they left behind. she said, "Oh i see. i understand this." and then she agreed to come to the church and learn more! she said to us as we were leaving, "You have both blessed my day." as we left i burst into tears bc i felt so close to Grandpa and then I remembered our prayer- and that this was even the 4th door- I know that was grandpa helping me in the work, which is a testimony to me that he is in fact doing the same work i am on the other side.i have never felt closer to him. tallahassee is a big place- there aren't that many Iranians in america...I know that this was a miracle wrought by the Spirit of Elijah and the tender mercy of God to allow me and Grandpa to work together for a day. I love you all. I got to sing a lot this week- its a long awesome story :) i will write about it later :) </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">oh! I also got to meet and teach a man that has never heard of christ! He is from Japan His name is Takuya- he has only been in America for 10 months- he is 23 and came here for school. we met him with family history- after we did fh with him, we gave him a church tour after and he said, "I never been to church." we asked if he was religious at all- he responded no- not even Buddhist. I asked him, "do you know who Jesus Christ is?" and he looked at me confused and said, "No". wow. I have never met anyone who doesnt know christ. the spirit flooded my heart- oh to teach someone and testify of Christ to someone who has never before known him! to introduce someone to that savior I love so much!!! I will never forget his face- after we taught Him of His nature and showed him pictures, he said looking at Christ- "He is brave. People love him because He loves all." Me and my comp cried- then we explained to Him Gethsemane- and the atonement- my gosh I will never forget his face or how it felt to share that- we then asked him- do you want to learn more of christ? He looked at us and with fervor said, "Yes. I do! I want to learn more of Christ." i will never forget that. what a blessing and choice experience.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-44394229161226789752014-03-19T18:23:00.001-07:002014-03-19T18:23:05.028-07:00"When You Have a Vision of What You Can Become, Your Power and Motivation to Act Increases Enormously" Elder Oaks<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">How important it is to have a vision for yourself and others in line with the vision of God.</span><br />
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Dearest family-</div>
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this week was the kind of week that time didnt even exist- each day blended into the next and i lost all concept of time and never knew what day it was! What a week truly. I dont know what I am going to do- going back to normal life, living normal days without insane experiences, miracles, exhausting responsibilities, and life changing experiencing- it is honestly insane! It is really picking up here towards the end! every day is spiritual marathon! I have officially realized that i am the happiest, busiest, most engaged, fulfilled, used, and needed that I have ever been in my life. I am truly happy. It's like God is using me like crazy now, now that I really know how to be a missionary- this is the most effective I have ever been in my time on earth. i will just never be the same. My whole sense of self and perspective has shifted in an eternal, permanent way, and my understanding of self, life and others has just...its more eternally accurate and in perspective. My mission has literally changed, and saved my life, and i didnt even know I needed saving and changing before!</div>
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ok- well to start- this week we took another sister to the airport- weird! and then this week was transfers! me and my comp sister harris are staying together- this is the longest i have ever had a companion but i am glad bc we are a powerhouse together with the Lord-i feel so blessed and am so grateful for our companionship!!!!!!!!!!!! and honestly what we do is so hard- i fully rely on the lord- literally you have no idea how i pray haha we have each other and president&sister smith- but other than that everyone else in the mission leans on us so i am so grateful for her! she is a great strength to me! We are a strength to each other.i had a feeling we would be staying together bc I know God knows my limitations. but we got to help out with all the new sisters coming in from the MTC! I loved it it was so fun!! I have a soft spot in my heart for new sisters- I love greeting new missionaries and seeing how scared they are and helping them feel comfortable and safe. Its my favorite- i think thats why i trained so much. i love making people feel secure when i can feel they are nervous. </div>
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So we did training with them at the mission home along with the AP's and then we took them out working with us to our appointments and guess what! we had a miracle. the part member family we have been working with- the cartwrights? her nonmember husband came to church for the first time to do fh work- it softened him more than anything else! afterwards we were able to give him a church tour- and when we went in the chapel he felt the spirit so strongly he couldnt speak- it was incredible- i told him tht this was God answering Him- telling Him He wanted Him here- I asked him to visualize himself there with his daughter- i could see the Spirit working in him- i kept saying I knew this was God's answer to him- he just looked at me and said, "thank you for saying that. I have been asking." He said he felt something in that chapel....he couldnt get over it. It was beautiful! that was one of the most spirit led church tours I have ever given. It was such a testimony to me of how important family history work is to softening hearts and changing demeanors- when the Spirit of Elijah is paired with the Holy Spirit- MIRACLES HAPPEN! </div>
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well- later this week- we had the opportunity to have dinner with President and Sister Smith- they invited us to the farewell dinner for all the departing missionaries- i had been burning to tell President smith about our fh miracle- (bc he is HUGE on using fh in the mission). i told him everything (someday i will tell you all the details too in person) I did the voices and everything- well him and sis. smith were practically laughing in tears! Then President looked at me and said, "Sister Bertoldo- after Elder Ballard speaks- they are giving me 30 minutes to speak- I am giving 10 of those minutes to you to share that story. can you tell it in 10-15 minutes?" well this saturday- The apostle, Elder Ballard himself came to speak to us- WOW. WOW WOW WOW. The south is being flooded with church leaders bc there is a great work going on here bc as Elder Ballard said, "Here in this part of the United states people already believe in christ,There is great potential for growth in this part of the Lord's vineyard- so you missionaries here- you have to be good.You have to be good teachers" Elder Soarres of the 70 also came and spoke to us. they wanted to shake each of our hands. </div>
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I can truly testify that he speaks the words of Christ- i felt the spirit so strongly as those men spoke- the biggest thing that Elder ballard told us that stood out to me was when he said speaking of missionaries who may fel discouraged or tired, "there are times i am tired. i am weary. I am an old man! when I feel insufficient strength physically. it is then elders and sisters, that I look at this....(he pulled out a pass along sized picture of Christ) I would encourage you all to carry this. I look at Christ in those moments and my mind goes to Gethsemane, and I think what He did for the people I am on my way to meet, and then i feel okay. When all is said and done Elders and sisters, I'm a missionary. just like you." what gifted humility. How that touched me,"My mind goes to Gethsemane...and then I feel ok." How blessed I am to be here.</div>
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Well- they brought SUCH A STRONG SPIRIT that my nerves were calm and i had no fear that I would not be guided in what to say even though i had no time to mentally prepare/write out thoughts. I know the Lord wanted me to see that it wasnt about me- He just wants me to fully rely and trust in Him. The spirit is what captivates, motivates, and inspires- i know that. i learned many things that day. </div>
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well afterwards- we felt endowed with power- we went out and contacted, we found a man in the side streets by the homeless shelter and engaged in one of the sweetest gospel discussions i have ever had with a first time street contact. we gave him a BOM and read out of it with him Hel <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_908042451" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:12</span></span>- he was mesmerized- we are meeting with him again tuesday. Also, our investigator Rex (felon man) just committed to be baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_908042452" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">April 12th</span></span>! we had an awesome lesson with him last night- over 2 hours long- utterly exhausting- but amazing- we taught the Plan Of Salvation. he wants to be baptized- and best of all- he asked his younger brother Robby to baptize him! Robby is a less active member- so now he feels motivated to prepare himself ready and worthy to baptize his brother- its is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen- seeing how the priesthood and love and the gospel is working in these men to elevate them and their families!!!! what a week. I love you all. One last summer to witness to the south- I love being used by the Lord, and know I still have much to learn.</div>
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All My love <3</div>
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sister Bertoldo </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-55549789760454749582014-03-19T18:15:00.001-07:002014-03-19T18:28:20.907-07:00"Ye are Eternally Indebted to your Heavenly Father, to Render to Him All That You Have and Are" Mosiah 2:34<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dearest family-</span><br />
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I am so grateful to each of you. Your letters and emails for me this week were so needed and such a sustaining joy- hearing the good works you are all endeavoring in and the success God is granting you fills my soul with joy!! I am so proud of hearing of your good works and accomplishments and most especially for the eternal lessons that can be learned from them!</div>
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Cierra's baptism took place this week- her whole family came!!!!!!!!!! it was a very different baptism experience- we made the program entirely based on the wishes of Cierra and helping it to be focused on her family. They all loved the church- this was monumental and a huge step closer to their dad allowing his daughters to be baptized- we gave them a church tour and they kept saying, "oh dad can't we go to this church? we love this church!" It was one of the most beautiful, calm, still, smooth baptisms i have ever witnessed. then her little niece raykell tapped me and said, "I want to be baptized. Just like that." ah- it really tugged my heart! they said the prayers at her baptism (her and Harmyni) and then we did a special musical number haha bc her dad can play REALLY WELL and we wanted to involve him really badly so we had him play a VERY gospelly, soulful "Amazing Grace" and me and my comp. and Harmyni and Raykell sung to that whole congregation- it was so out of my comfort zone and i was so nervous about it!! haha bc seriously he was going all out- but we did it for Cierra it made her and her dad SO HAPPY and so i loved it once we were up there- everyone was laughing and clapping and I just went all gospelly and went for it and everyone loved it!! haha we didnt even really get to practice before haha o man it was so awesome- that was the most unself conscious I think I have ever been- and it just made her so happy! everyone after was like- "that pians and song has never been sung like that! amazing!" haha it was funny also my comp sis. harris hates singing so that added to our nerves before haha but i loved it! it ended up going great! Cierra felt so special and so many people came!!!</div>
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Another highlight- a few weeks ago i went on an exchange with a sister on FSU campus and they are in desperate need of new investigators. I prayed all day that the Lord would be with us and help me know how to help bc i was nervous since i have never been on campus before- but i really prayed- and when we went to campus I was CONFIDENT we would find someone- and i told the sister that, which made her excited- well- we did find someone- there was a girl sitting in the middle of the busy campus square and i felt that tug and pull- so we went for her! It all started with me saying, "Ah! I love your shoes- I have the same ones!) and i do they are hot pink nike trainers like i had at home- well then we got to talking- i told her we were missionaries- she told us all she has been through and wow- is this woman amazing! so prepared- well to make a long story short- we ended with getting her number and inviting her to church, hugging her and a powerful bond between us. and then i went home and came back to my area. well- last night i got the news from that campus sister- London (that was the girls name we talked to) is getting baptized march 16th!!!!!!!!!!!! I cried my face off!!!!!!!!! I cannot express what a powerful experience and testimony to me of the power of God and the reality of Him! This really is His work, He really does lead us and will use us if we seek him out and then press forward in faith!! I know God placed her DIRECTLY in our path that day, and i know that is because I DIRECTLY prayed for that all day, and FULLY RELIED ON HIM- I cant express how amazing it was to get that news- i will never forget that. God answers prayers- we have to have the faith to ask, and then the courage to act to help it come to pass. </div>
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I have truly come to trust God. My missoin has accelerated and intensified and compacted that understanding in ways i know would not be possible for me any other way. Everytime I am faced with something that pushes me beyond my comfort zone (which takes a lot) I turn to Him like my life depends on it, because it does, because there are so many who depend on me and I know it- so I have to go to Him so I don't break- and EVERYTIME I have done that- I SEE LITERAL MIRACLES. Miracles like contacting a young woman bc she just happened to be sitting right where we were walking on that massive campus, and i just happened to feel that tug in my heart and pull to her- that is straight from God bc He knows London's heart, and that she was ready, and He knows I am there seeking and trusting that He will lead us to find those hearts prepared- because of that, London is now being baptized in 2 weeks! I trust the Lord- He has showed me over and over again- He is in control- He has a plan! Because these personal experiences on my mission when i thionk my future before me i feel at complete peace bc I know God will lead me. I truly have learned to fully trust in God- I feel so free and at peace and grateful. </div>
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there is a lot more i want to say but don't have time! but Elder Ballard is next week and me and Sister Harris got invited over to Presidents house for dinner! I am so excited- This week has been very high stress and exhausting- but I can honestly say that I have felt God with me every step of the way, walking with me. One day we hadn't eaten all day and I was starting to feel really sick- so was my comp- and we just had lesson after lesson- so said a prayer bc my vision was all blurry bc i was just so depleted- so i said a prayer for help- and then the next house we went to (her name is tosh we taught a new investigator we found 2 weeks ago) she opens the door and says, "sisters I just baked some bread!" and she went and brought us both a slice!! i could have cried- haha we then went on to teach her the Restoration with our renewed energy :) but it was funny bc after that i told my comp- "that was like manna from heaven" haha it was hilarious- bc it literally was. Anyways- God knows how to provide for His children if we ask in faith and then keep working! Love you all!!!!!</div>
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Sister Bertoldo<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-91095266962843102392014-03-19T18:10:00.004-07:002014-03-19T18:10:49.025-07:00Flying<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dearest family!</span><br />
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thank you for the happy little package!! that meant so much to me mom thank you!!!!!! well this week was great- it flew- transfers are next week so that is crazy. we did another 2 exchanges this week and saw a lot of miracles. we had zone conference and i have some big news- i have caught the "Spirit of Elijah" big time! I have been working on Grandpa's and grandma's side since dad did a lot of work on his side which is awesome!! and guess what mom/! I found grandpa's parents! I am working on finding his grandparents- but i felt the spirit so strong when i found them- I really feel they have accepted the gospel and want their work done- I put Nonny in their too and her parents- I am determined to have names of our family ready to take to the temple to do for them the second I get home!!! So mom if grandma is still there could you please get all the info possible on her and grandpas families so i can do their work?</div>
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we found 5 new investigators! we have received 8 media referrals! It is just amazing- i have never heard of that on my mission- we are very blessed, but are working ourselves to the dirt and i guess the Lord sees that. We are so blessed. Cierra is excited to be baptised this saturday! Please pray for her, and also please pray that her families heart, especially her fathers heart, will be softened- her whole family is coming to the baptism. we are planning to pull the dad aside after the baptism and ask if he will allow his 2 other daughters Harmyni and Cierra to be baptized- they want to so badly- Harmyni last night said, "I am scared if I have to wait to get baptized until I am 18 I will forget what I feel now." </div>
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We had a really cool opportunity, me and sis. harris my dear companion, to got to President's house (the mission home) and just talk to him and Sis. Smith- they were'nt even dressed in church clothes they were in pj's!! it was so cool! we were talking in their living room about a few things and when we brought up Cierra President said, "I want to meet her. bring to my home and we will have a lesson with her here in the mission home." I cried. How incredible that would be, how incredible. I am so grateful to be here and have the opportunity to work so closely with President. It was his idea to committ the father to allow his younger daughters to be baptized after the baptism. we are doing it!! It is also really exciting because me and sis harris and Harmyni and Raykell are all going to sing at Cierra's baptism "Amazing Grace" and the dad agreed to play the piano for us after Cierra begged him- that will be amazing! I have a lot of vids to show you when i get home. </div>
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We also had an emergency come up- one of the sisters in our mission had to be sent home, so President called us and she came over to sleep at our apartment (I had to sleep on the floor bc we only have 2 beds! haha i slept great actually :) and then we had to take her to the airport. He also gave us money to take her out to breakfast. We really wanted to make her feel special so she didn't feel any nervousness or sense of failure- it was a really amazing experience. It was weird going to the airport though- the last itme I was at the tally airport my mission was just beginning! so going back really brough back memories and made the reailty that that will be me in a couple months really hit me- it was weird- i was glad to leave the airport and go back to being a missionary! but we walked her to the gate and stayed with her as long as possible. I love you all so much. excited to meet Elder Ballard next week! Hope all is well with you <3 tell grandma I would love to hear from her and love her very much.</div>
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Love sis. bertoldo</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-65103489191780520872014-02-23T16:38:00.001-08:002014-02-23T16:38:52.710-08:00Mind on the Ministry<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dearest family-</span><br />
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mom thank you for your valentines card and email!! I appreciate the update on our family- they are all getting so big my gosh.It was such a blessing, so needed and so appreciated! and I gave out all the chocolate you gave me to kids we are teaching and they all loved it and i told them it was from you and one girl asked what your name was and I told her Sue, and she said, "thank you sue bertoldo!" haha :) and dad- your long letter meant the world to me- I received both of your letters/little package right on v-day which you cant know how much that meant to me.</div>
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i cant believe my mission is coming to a close. i realized after this transfer i will have 18 weeks left instead of 18 months. 18 weeks. 18 more sundays. well- i read something in D&C that talks about keeping your, "Mind on your maker and ministry whereunto you have been called" rather than of things of the earth- that pierced my heart with such force- my mantra is now "Keep your mind on your ministry". My ministry is coming to an end. (my formal ministry that is, but i will continue to minister all my life) The magnitude of that is beginning to hit me bc transfers fly by faster and faster and i only have 3 left. I am determined to complete all that my Heavenly Father would have me do on my ministry- for others- and also within myself. I have had to stare some deep rooted weaknesses of mine in the face and root them out but i am willing to do it bc i am determined to leave my mission as the being he wants me to be. I am also determined to find all the people he pre-ordained me to find and to fulfill my purpose with each individual he has entrusted me with. My mission is the most sacred thing to me in the world. so i tell myself, "keep your mind on your ministry."</div>
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This week we had 2 exchanges- kind of a lot for one week, and we have another double header this week- but i always have incredible experiences and growth on exchanges! we also had Izola's baptism this weekend! what a beautiful spirit filled baptism it was. It isnt very often an older woman gets baptized, and she was a Messianic Jew before- so it was incredible to see her entering into the waters of baptism and see her glowing like an angel! I sang right before she was baptized her favorite hymn, "Nearer My God to Thee". It was a beautiful experience. our investigator Cierra was there too and she will be getting baptized in 2 weeks :) The Lord has blessed us in our work and ministry. </div>
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also- this week we were able to teach the entire Pleas family!! They are an African American family in a rough neighborhood that when I first met they were having a lot of family trials and conflicts threatening to tear them apart- I suddenly had a vivid vision of what that family could be, and a sense of urgency to share the gospel with them at this critical junction in their life bc i know that that is what will save them!!!! well this week- it happened. it happened. their entire family gathered together- the first time their family has ever been all together on one couch. they have 3 little kids- 2 of the cutest little boys I have ever seen, sahmaj 3, kayden 8, and sanaa 11. we taught them the Plan of Salvation. the whole thing. I cannot express the joy, deep joy and fulfillment i felt in my soul, sitting there teaching that little family being ravaged by the evils of the world. In that moment I knew I was doing exactly what God would me do with my mortal time on this earth. I knew I was exactly doing the Father's will and fulfilling my purpose in life. I will never forget how beautiful that scene was- to see Marlo (the step dad) with his 3 yr old son on his lap, and the mother Ty sitting with her 2 other children around her. and the grandmother Dorothy (who is a less active member) in the center beaming with joy in seeing her family united in faith. Mosiah <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_218906420" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">18:21</span></span> comes to mind "Their hearts knit together in unity and love." Every time we asked a question Kayden would shoot his hand up bless his heart, his little heart wanted to participate. We asked, "how do you talk to God?" he said, "in a soft voice in my imagination." at the end I told them to look around them- I told them how beautiful a sight they were to me- they looked around and saw the scene of their family all gathered together learning of god's plan- and ty the mother teared up and Marlo smiled and kissed his sons face. I will never forget that- I told them i could see God's vision for them. I cried- I just feel really strongly for this family I want to see them make it. I want to see Marlo with the priesthood! they need it! we all do! we committed them to have family prayer like this every night- they agreed then at the end we all put our hands together and cheered, "team family!!" which was really cheesy but it made them all laugh and they all secretly loved it :) Things like that increase the worth of my mission exponentially and eternally. </div>
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This week all the missionary leaders (ZL's, AP's, and STL's) had the opportunity to meet with all the stake Presidents of the Florida panhandle, and parts of Alabama, and the Area Seventy Elder Munns, and Pres. and sis. smith of course. WE discussed mission goals and what Elder Perry talked to us about over satellite- it was a really intense experience to be a part of and see how priesthood leadership and organization works in the church.</div>
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well those are some highlights. I love you all very much. I love this gospel very much. I love you all so much. Happy birthday to Kristen, Lindsay, Satcey and Michael!!</div>
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Much love,</div>
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Sister Bertoldo</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-54608411164750525012014-02-23T16:29:00.001-08:002014-02-23T16:29:31.877-08:00"Search Me Oh God and Know My Heart" - Psalm 139:23<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear family~</span><br />
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wow. another mind blowing week. This week i have been doing an in depth study of Godliness: the quality of living a Godly life, devout holy, sanctified, and essentially in the world BUT NOT OF IT. I have also been doing an in depth study of CHARACTER- and the more I study it, the more i see the complexity and importance of our character, and the more my desire to have the character God would approve of has sky-rocketed. I wrote this this morning- I have learned that character takes:</div>
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c-courage</div>
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h-hope and honesty</div>
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a-ageny CONSISTENTLY used for good. every right choice you make, unseen by all but God, everyday, THAT is what develops character. everyday I get up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_218906417" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:30 am</span></span> with a pounding headache or not- my character grows- everytime you read your scripture or choose to serve or not watch an inappropriate movie, your character solidifies a little more. Every time I kneel to pray instead of stand, or make another phone call or knock another door when I am drained, my character is deepened. that is how the Lord has shaped me on my mission- right choice by right choice- it is the same for all of us.</div>
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r- righteousness. pure desires and thirsting after truth and God's will</div>
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a-active faith. its not enough to just say it or think it- true faith requires ACTION- action is what biulds character.</div>
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c- confidence in the Lord and in yourself. "Search me O God and know my heart". Psalm 139:23 If we can be this open with the Lord, than he can purify and purge us from our fallen natures and all our "secret parts" will be known to Him and purged- THAT is true confidence before the Lord. This is what has increased my confidence within myself- knowing that God knows me bc I evaluate myself with Him each night.</div>
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t-true to God and self. this is where peace lies, when our actions are consistent with our beliefs.</div>
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e- effort and eternal perspective. when we make decisions based on ETERNAL TRUTHS, rather than circumstance or popular opinion, that builds character. this takes great effort and often requires us to sacrifice our comfort zone or pleasures that others indulge in- but it ALWAYS deepens character.</div>
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r- respect. respect for self and respect for others. respect precedes love for self and others- which is one of the greatest commandments- "love one another as I have loved you" so we must respect all men and ourselves first.</div>
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I know that suffering precedes sanctification. I know that sounds brutal! but it is worth it! Lorenzo Snow said, "He will try us and continue to try us, in order that he may place us in the highest positions in life and put upon us the most sacred responsibilities." I know this is true. I have learned this on my mission. I see that my whole life has actually been in preparation of my mission- its crazy- and i know that my mission is preparation for my future life, which is ultimately preparation to my eternal life, where I will continue to progress, as we all will. that is God's great and glorious plan!</div>
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Well- this week- I was really taught this. It was amazing. first of all- we had interviews with President- I love him so much. He is truly my father away from home.He knows me so well- I will really miss him. </div>
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second, big news!! We are meeting with Elder Ballard in 3 weeks!!!! <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_218906418" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">March 8th</span></span> we will be meeting with him in person, he wants to speak with us, and it will be for 2 hours!!!!!! I cried when we were told the news- I have been quoting that man for years and now I get to meet him in person! what a blessing and privilege. so yes- big news! I was excited to tell you.</div>
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Also, we had trade-offs and I went with a sister for a day who was struggling a lot ( I love her a lot) so I prayed all day that i would be strengthened so that I would know how to help her and so we could have a day of miracles. I prayed all day. Well- we did!! we ended up finding 6 New investigators, placed 3 BOM, and had 3 lessons contacting on campus- it was amazing! and she was so happy, she kept saying "I needed this day so bad- we haven't had a good day like this in forever! I needed this." It was the lord who gave us success and I told her that- I told her that they could have days like these all the time if they wanted and had the faith. I was so happy to see her so happy- I thanked the Lord all day. it was awesome! </div>
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I felt kind of sick on the exchange day but just kind of ignored it- but Then the next day after the exchange I was really sick- i was so nauseous/body achy I couldn't eat all day it was so awful. but we had a busy day so I just prayed all day for strength and we had great lessons. It lasted all day yesterday at church too- total agony- still couldnt eat bc my body aches were making me nauseous. but then i realized- this was God letting me prove and build my character- I think the old me would have curled up in a ball and complained and cried and slept- but I thought- how would I want my husband to handle this situation? what would be the admirable way of handling this? what does God want me to learn? so I just ignored it and we went from lesson to lesson- we got 5 new investigators: Rex (just out of jail, read the Book of Mormon in jail) and taught a man named Marlo the family Proclamation and he loved it so much he said he wanted to share with his whole family! we are going back to teach the family next week :) ! So my point is- i saw that as we worked through fatigue and physical pain, the Lord spiritually blessed our efforts even more and helped us have success. Izola is being baptized this saturday. And Cierra is being baptized next saturday!!!!!! so excited...we thought we were going to lose Izola bc when we taught her the Word of Wisdom she didnt like "no tea and coffee"- but we urged her to pray for understanding, (and we prayed too) and when we went back to see her (the day I was way sick) she announced that she had prayed- and she said that god told her, "you can choose: do you want tea and coffee or do you want MORE. More knowledge, more spiritual understanding, more blessings, closer to God" and she said, "I choose more, so I choose no tea and coffee and I choose to be baptized." me and sis. harris practically cried we were so relieved!!!! haha it was amazing. "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven."</div>
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Now mom! I got your chocolate package!! we have been giving out to the kids and they love it!! thank you! love you all so much.</div>
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Much Love sister Bertoldo</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-5054327594495370862014-02-07T10:29:00.002-08:002014-02-07T10:29:49.617-08:00Officially a Year!!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dearest Family-</span><br />
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So wow- a LOT happened this week you cant even begin to imagine!! I do not think I have ever been BUSIER in my life!!! which is saying something....well first off I will tell you we set a date with our investigator Izola I have been telling you about!! she is so prepared- she made us cry with her testimony she bore after we invited her to be baptized she said, "I will- I will because I trust the Lord and He has led me this far,and I will continue until he tell me to stop." then she said, "and I love the Book of Mormon. I KNOW that book is true- and I won't stop until I get to the temple. I want to be in that white castle of the Lord." we showed her a picture of the salt Lake temple and she went silent- she was in complete awe- she just said- "I want to go inside there." She is being baptized to achieve her goal of going to the temple- it will be in 2 weeks. She is amazing!!!! We are so excited, and so blessed by the Lord to have had the privilege of teaching her and being taught by her example of faith. </div>
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Also- Cierra came to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_357619250" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this sunday</span></span> and is progressing nicely- she is being baptized the week after Izola. We taught them about prophets and we taught her the "Latter prophets" song and all her siblings haha- it was precious!! they all know all the LDS prophets now!! :) truly- I LOVE being a missionary- i cannot imagine not being a missionary- I am at the point now where I don't even want to go home. I love being a missionary- I love it. I don't want to be in the world again! if it weren't so exhausting/all consuming I would want to be a full time missionary forever. I love it. I LOVE MY MISSION!!!!!!! The Lord has taught me great things- my mission has saved/change my life. it truly is- I know who I am- I know God's plan- and I know what I am to do the rest of my life and how to go to him for support/strength. </div>
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I also received the incredible and touching news- the hernandez family who i love SO MUCH just emailed me- they were just SEALED IN THE TEMPLE FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was BAWLING- THEY DID IT!!!!!!! They looked SO HAPPY AND BRIGHT!!! I have never seen them happier. they did it. they are an eternal family. That is why I'm out here. To help people be with their families for eternity. I love it. worth every sacrifice. every one. These people are a part of me forever. </div>
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also- we had a lesson with a 13 year boy who we have been trying to teach for FOREVER!!!!!!!! I cannot express how special this young man is- he has a special spirit- his family has been lost to drugs and his older brother to gangs- he lives with his god-mom (adopted mother almost, but not legally, just by love) who is a less active member of the church which is how we found him. and I tell you I would die first before I will see Uvon get swallowed by gangs and drugs! He has such a light about him. we taught him about the BOM- he loved it- we have another appt with him next week. I will do everything in my power to strengthen this young man- I told him all I see in him and all his potential- he was riveted- listening intently- he's special. he wants to be a good person. Also- Harmyni the little 10 yr niece to Cierra who we are teaching? well at our last appointment she came up to me and hugged me and wouldn't let go- I could feel something was wrong so I just hugged her then she looked up at me dead in the eye and said, "Will you be my god-mom?" My heart melted- what came to my mind was the line in my patriarchal blessing that said, "there will be many that will call you mother" and I teared up and she just kept looking at me waiting for a response- so I looked her in the eyes and told her she would be in my heart forever and even after I leave I promised her I would find a way to keep in touch with her the rest of her life. and i meant it. I will. (she is adopted by her grandma bc her mom is a drug addict). </div>
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so yeah- that is a bit of the missionary work side of things, the most poignant experiences. Now- to tell you about the Missionary Leadership Conference we spoke/taught at- wow. I can't even tell you how amazing/draining that was. I have only been to an MLC meeting once before, so to be speaking at my 2nd one, and not just teaching but teaching all the leaders of the mission, and the AP's was really intense. We were given 30 minutes to teach/speak- which is the longest I have ever been asked to speak/teach. It was an incredible experience that I know I need for future experiences- I still have lots to learn-but the Lord is teaching me. I can tell you- the best part of it was when i was testifying of the hastening of the work and of the importance of this work and the foundation we are laying for future generations- i felt so full of power and peace from God. It was amazing- but i seriously have never prayed harder in my life than before that presentation- I would be useless without the Spirit and I know it! so I prayed and prepared spiritual A LOT for weeks previous- and He came through :) A lot of people came up to me after and said that it addressed a specific thing they were struggling with or concern they had- so the more I hear that from various missionaries who I respect a lot the more humbled I was, and knew that it was truly Spirit led. It was just such a testimony builder to me of how to receive, recognize, record, and share revelation so it can bless the lives of others for it's intended use. and afterwards president stood up and told me, "Well done." I respect President more than anyone (except for you dad and mom) so that is something I will never forget. he is a second father to me. </div>
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So yeah- it was quite the week! Afterwards I was drained. but we still went out and worked :) God helps us!! Anyways- I love you all so much. I love this work. It snowed in Florida this week too! It was the first time in 7 years- it was so weird- but now its back to sunshine. Mom- let me know how your teaching went and Jared/dad let me know all about the court of honor! Love you so much.</div>
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Sister Bertoldo.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-76460988232474626922014-01-31T13:39:00.003-08:002014-01-31T13:39:46.859-08:00"Of mine own self I can do nothing...I seek not to do my will but seek to do the will of my Father who sent me." John 5<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Family-</span><br />
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This has been a week of unbelievable ups and downs. I cannot even begin to express in an email "the smallest part which I feel" but I will tell you in person someday all that has happened. I will say a few things of the downs- so we can end in the highs. The projects area of Tallahassee are really bad and dark, and people and especially children have been through so much horror. it started to really break my heart to see how it is just a way of life for so many. it is hard for me to see kids "raising" kids. I say "raising" bc most of these children from ag 3 to 15 just roam the streets in packs together and raise each other.- they are just left to raise themselves in this world. I have cried myself to sleep a couple nights because of these kids. I know a lot of them by name now- everytime we come they flock to us and i hug EVERY ONE OF THEM!! we tell them about Jesus and that they are children of Him and they listen intently. these children have stolen my heart!! I love them deeply. I have peace and hope knowing that they are all numbered and known to Christ and the Father- so I pray for them, knowing there are many others just like them- and am grateful they have a Savior just like me I just pray people will teach them- I teach as many as i can find. </div>
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There is always Hope in Christ. </div>
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So family- count your blessings!! Rejoice in the Gospel!! I rejoice in sharing it and seeing it CHANGE LIVES AND SOFTEN HEARTS. We also saw many miracles- our investigator Izola came to all the sessions of stake conference we had, and afterwards she asked to receive a priesthood blessing just of her own free will we were stunned! She is an older black woman- she has read up to Mosiah now in the BOM and she is rapidly preparing for baptism on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_987903499" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">22nd of February</span></span>. Teaching her is a blessing and a joy. She has great faith!! also we have seen a dramatic improvement in the ward helping and taking part in missionary work! they are getting the missionary spirit! also our investigator harmyni and cierra is going AMAZING- Cierra is teaching me SO MUCH. The worth and value of my mission is double what it would've been because I met her. they call us every week to schedule appointments :) it is hard to see and hear the trials they are going through and have gone through in the past- Cierra cried for the first time the last time we taught her and she said, "The Spirit told me I can trust you so I do. You are my dearest friends- and I love the book of Mormon. and I love how nice the church people are. and i dont feel bitter anymore. I feel loved." she reads the book of mormon reader for kids- it is so dear- she is AMAZING she says profound things- i cannot even begin to express in this email. they are recorded in my journal though. I will never forget her and Harmyni.</div>
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Stake conference was great! I want you all to know that I have learned a truth I thought I already knew- there is a way we can succeed in this life and never fail- that way is to seek the will of the Father- and do it. that scripture,"Of mine own self I can do nothing...I seek not to do my will but see k to do the will of my Father who sent me." John 5 I know this is true. I know it. I know it and I will never forget it. The gospel- its true and if we live it we will be able to live with God again and we need to share it with as many people as natural opportunity will permeate. we must just share it out of love :) I love you all! and Kristen! I got your letter!! ;D thank you it meant a lot to me!!!!!! I am writing you today </div>
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Love you all so much</div>
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Love,</div>
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sister Bertoldo</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8364583786772912731.post-14859647584175468182014-01-31T13:32:00.000-08:002014-01-31T13:32:27.977-08:00Investigators<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Family-</span><br />
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This week a lot happened. First of all- our meeting we had with President about the paper went really well-we were in there for over an hour with him! He basically asked me to "give him the vision" first- so I did- and then he read it and went through it with his big red pen and analyzed and broke it down- and LOVED IT!! I changed and added a few things to the copy that I sent home to you- I will try and send you the final draft. But it was really cool- then after he said," So how are we gonna implement this and put it into action?" then he told us how- he wants us to break it down and then present it at Mission Leadership Conference to the whole mission so all the Zone Leaders and STL's can teach it to their zones and do it in their individual areas. And he is going to take it to all the Stake Presidents in Florida and present it to them so that it will be an adopted part of all the wards in Florida's mission plans! SO I was really happy and it was so amazing- but then he told us that we will be presenting it January 29...and I got a little, we bit,...stressed feeling. just because that isnt a lot of time to prepare, and it's really important, and we are really busy with all our other responsibilities- so I felt a little overwhelmed...its been a bit of a weight on me all week. BUT I have been praying a lot and I know that this is the Lord's work- so He will help me do it just like He has helped me thus far. So I finally had some time before studies to write and organize our presentation and I feel so much better now! it's a work in progress but we will work on it all week and I am confident and excited- because I know the Lord will help us and as long as the Spirit is there the message we share will be felt and carried to their hearts with power and authority. I am just doing everything I can to be worthy for the Spirit to be able to work through me- I need Him!!! haha</div>
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So yeah- that is that- but that is only one piece of the pie- a lot of other stuff happened! Me and Sister Harris were asked to speak and present at a youth stake activity a "mini MTC" it was so fun I loved it!! I love teaching/working with youth and it was fun to do it at a stake level. Awesome youth. Also- i did a training exchange with campus sisters at FSU and it was amazing! I have never been a missionary on campus before but it was so cool- we actually found 2 new investigators! one woman named London had just gotten in a car accident- she was so receptive. and I was so drawn to her- there are tons of people on campus but the second we got near her I just felt that tug in my heart- so we talked to her and it turned out great! she is an amazing woman. hopefully they will be able to start teaching her. I went with Sis. Bracey- she is an awesome sister I love her. she is from Alpine Utah.</div>
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Ok- now for OUR work in our area- wow. we found 5 new investigators this week!! We volunteer at a half-way house (men who just get out of jail/prison go here to help them get back into real life and stay clean, and do service) well- I told you about David- we had a really amazing talk with him and he went onto to <a href="http://mormon.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mormon.org</a> and is learning more. It is so cool seeing him do service and try to fight for good and resist falling back into his old ways- He has already come along way! He LOVES service and learning more about the Savior- he is just riveted by it all. Another man, Peter-Paul, has pretty much spent his whole life in jail. so sad- well he asked us all about who and what we are, he is catholic but open to learn more- again it is so cool to see these men who have been raised without parents and role models still have that light of Christ in them- I have really come to love all these felons haha its so funny! we love them!! the whole place is run by felons and ex-cons and they are all amazing and they are so repentant- its cool. I just read an article about how jail changes people- its true. Many of the people we serve there have nothing literally- no shoes, coats- I cannot express the joy I feel giving them food and groceries, talking to them, and seeing how happy it makes them. I really have come to love these people and i know most of the people who come by now and they all have a place in my heart. so speaking of jail- that brings me to our new investigator- Joe. He is amazing. His wife Jan is a less active from California. She came here because her husband was in jail- we have been working with her (I LOVE HER ) and more than anything she wants a Temple marriage- she loves her husband joseph SO MUCH. Well- he just got out of jail. He has been reading the Book of Mormon in jail- and we had our first lesson with him. it was amazing!! I love him, and them.- I want to see them sealed in the Temple. He is so humble, so prepared, so ready- he has had a very hard life- I wont say all here but believe me- it was enough to break our hearts to hear. He is so genuine- he said he knows everything in his life has led him to this point and he wants to change and be who God and his wife needs him to be- and this Sunday- He came to church! This man is 30 years old and yesterday was the first time he has ever set foot in a church. He is amazing. He was so nervous at first but by the end he loved it! WE are meeting with him again this week. I see his potential. I see them in white. I believe in them and teaching them fills me with deep joy!!</div>
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Our investigator Izola is progressing well- we are setting a baptismal date next week with her. We had a cool thing happen with our investigator Harmyni- she lost a necklace during our lesson- she was crying- we told her we would pray with her and promised her if she would have faith she would find it- we did- then we all looked- no luck. I said a silent prayer and asked God to please let us find it so that she would see that prayer works! well no sooner did I finished praying- than i felt prompted to look under the table in the corner- there lay the necklace! it was so cool- good faith building experience for her and for me.</div>
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met a 3 yr old little boy this week who didnt know who Jesus was, or heaven- all he knew was fighting, and swear words. It really broke my heart. He is from a very rough unsafe neighborhood.So I got out my picture flip book and showed him all these pictures of Jesus- he asked me where He lived- I told him heaven. He asked what heaven was- I told Him where God lives- and angels and its beautiful- He got so excited he said, "It's in the sky!" I told him Jesus Loved him and He is a son of God- he lit up like a tree...that little guy broke my heart I hated leaving him. He gave me a big hug and said he loved me. I just love these people- I am glad they are all known to our Savior and know that He will watch over them.</div>
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Much love-</div>
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sis. Bertoldo</div>
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