Week 59

March 31, 2014

 

 

Hey Everyone!!!

 

This week was a pretty basic week here in the mission! We worked hard and I also learned a whole lot of valuable lessons! So P-day was great. We played a little bit of soccer and then we relaxed pretty much the whole day. It was great!!  In the beginning of the mission I just wanted to see everything and do everything. Now I love resting on p-days. haha  I feel more exhausted every week, haha but I'm also getting used to it.

 

Tuesday was a very normal day. We went to our appointments and then at night we held our piano and English lessons. They went well! More people are coming every week! And I had more in my class than my comp had in his!! haha

 

Wednesday started out normal. Went to the gym, ate breakfast, studied then we left to work. We taught a few lessons but about 2 hours into being in the street I just started to feel awful. And it wasn't even my stomach!!!! My body felt super weak and iIhad a pounding headache. So we went home and I just laid in bed. I was having random hot and cold flashes so I took my temperature, and it read 103 degrees!! I didn't believe it so I did it again!!! And it read 102.5. So I had a fever pretty high up there. It was a super weird feeling. I didn't feel like throwing up or anything. My body just ached. It's been a while since I've been sick like that. Years!   But I just slept it out through the night and felt like a new person the next day. Although I did sweat like a pig all through the night. My mattress was wet.....and I swear I didn't wet the bed!!! yeah I'll stop now.

 

Thursday was Zone Conference!! I love zone conferences!!! They only happen once every 3 months so it's a big day!! We basically talk about the state of the mission and how things are going. Then we eat lunch and have a few classes from the assistants, president, zone leaders, and this time we had a special talk given by temple President Jensen! Who was in the presidency of the 70 for 10 years and a GA for 20 years!!! The man was awesome. He knew soooo much and answered so many questions! One elder asked "What's the most spiritual experience you've had with the prophet?" and he answered.."Which prophet?" hahahaha Oh gosh. I want to be him. His answer was very interesting. He said it wasn't with a prophet actually. It was with the the apostle Elder Maxwell. He asked him "If he could perfect one attribute of Christ in his own life, what would it be?" and Elder Maxwell responded in that instant..."Submissiveness to the Father."  All week I've been thinking about that. Submissiveness to the father is so essential in our salvation. The people willing to give it all to Heavenly Father are the people that are truly happy and understand their role in the Plan of Salvation. We are here on the earth to obey Him. Jesus Christ was willing to give it all. He never even thought twice! We too need to be the same way. It's super difficult and close to impossible but the thing is that....IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE! And we should try with all our might to do it. Another thing I loved from Presidente Jensen was he gave a good quote that hit me hard as a missionary. "When your priorities are out of order, you lose power." What a truth that is. If I'm in the street all day and only thinking about baseball or whatever I'm going to do on P-day I will never be a consecrated missionary. I will never have all the powers of the spirit. This is a great quote for life as well. We must firstly understand what is important and then we must act on those things...family, the gospel, husbands and wives, etc. Everything else will mean nothing 50 years from now. There are true blessing for those that realize this.

 

The rest of the weekend was pretty basic!! We committed some people to baptism. One guy even made his own date!!!! haha So we are working super hard and I'm truly loving the mission. I love the gospel. I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I can't wait to see how it goes!! Until next time!! I love you all!

 

Love,

Elder Berrett

 

Dad:

You still there?

 

Kyler:

Yeah! not much time, but a little!

 

Mom:

I'm here now too! I put $200 in your account. That should be enough for a little bit.  I would really like you to get a camera for Elder Vaca.

 

Dad:

Did you get our update for the week?

Just out of curiosity, I haven't asked you in a while, how much do you weigh? Are you about the same?

 

Kyler:

yeah I'll go look this week!!! I just sent the update! Thanks for the money! I have to go!!

I love you all so much!!!

I weigh about 165!!! I want to gain about 10 more for BYU baseball tryouts!! haha love you!

 

Mom:

LOVE YOU BUNCHES! XOXOXO Mom

Week 58

March 24, 2014

 

Hey Everyone!!!

 

This week was a good one! A little stressful but good! So last week we went to the Cochabamba dam. that was cool! I've actually been before but it was way prettier this time and more fun! At the dam there is a restaurant that's super good and it looks like a castle!! So i have some good pictures from that! it was a good p-day spent with the zone!!

 

Tuesday was great! We had our normal district meeting like every week and then we went to work!!! I love working hard!!! I've learned a lot over the past year about working hard. Working hard is great and important! But also working efficiently is very important For example, knocking doors here isn't the best option of work. It is not very productive. So my comp and I thought of a way to get references because those are way better. And its not really fair to the members to just put them on the spot, knock their door and ask for a reference. So we made up a way! We are starting to visit members in their homes and ask if we can share a message. They, of course, always accept. We share something simple like a Mormon message or something like that then we tell them we are going to play a game. We give them like 2 minutes to write down all the names of the people they know! And during that time my comp and I sing a hymn. At the end of the hymn, we then ask them to circle 5 names on the list that they believe are ready to hear the gospel!! We've only done it once but we are plan to do it more!! It was fun!! I'm also back at giving English classes every week! i love it and its fun! we just learn basic phrases but they love it so it's all good. And my comp is giving piano classes so that's fun! He has more students than I do -_- so I'm trying to beat him with that!

 

Wednesday was normal. One of the Zone Leaders was a little sick so my comp and I helped them out with a few appointments they had. It was a good day for us after helping them! We meet with Johny again and he is for sure going to get baptized. He loves the church (came again yesterday), loves the lessons and chats with us. The only thing is that he has this HUGE (and very annoying, for me) desire to be baptized the week of Easter!!! 2 weeks after I leave this area! Changes are coming and I'm more than likely leaving! ugh!! I really want to be here so hopefully I'm not too far and I come back and be here for the baptism. I wanted to do it in between the conference sessions on the 5th but he really wants to wait!!! ugghhh! hahaha yeah whatever! At least he's getting baptized!! That's what's important!

 

Friday, my comp had to go to the city to do paper work and while we were there I met a whole bunch of brand new missionaries, fresh from the MTC. We were there a while so they asked me whole bunch of questions. Gosh I remember being soooo new and sooooooooooooooooooooo lost. Its amazing how much a missionary grows in this short time. I'm so incredibly grateful for the knowledge I've gained and the testimony I've grown. It still has whole lot of room to grow but i love where I'm at! and i cant wait to see what more Heavenly Father has in store.

 

So I'd like to close this up just giving my testimony that I know this is Christ's church. I'm 100% positive. I'm so grateful for the fullness of the gospel here on the earth, that has been restored. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. (this week a man looked at me and asked me if I truly believe that Thomas Monson receives revelation as a prophet and I told him I don't believe it, but I know it). The Book of Mormon, is true. There's no doubt about it. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. And i love representing his name everyday.

 

Love,

Elder Berrett

 

Dad:
Hi bud, are you still there?

Mom:
Hey my love - it's mom, I'm here!

Kyler:
Hey!!! i have some questions for you guys!!!! :)
 

Dad, can you email from your email please?  I have something to talk to you about!
sorry mom! dad can tell you about it when he gets home from work!!

Mom:
Hey, I'm putting together a package for you. Anything you want from home?

 Kyler:
Peanut Butter!!!!!!!! :)

Mom:
Now, you want peanut butter! :)  Do you want plain pb or just pb candy?

Kyler:
plain. I bought it here because I'm going back to PB sandwiches and trying to gain weight. I've been working out super hard haha. We're waking up at5:30 to go to the gym! I love it!!!!!!!
and the PB here isn't the same.

Mom:
Yes, I will send you some peanut butter and some protein bars! Also, the date for deferment is May 1st. So you will have time to meet with your mission president before then.

Kyler:
okay awesome!!!!! thanks!! :) i cant wait!!

Mom:
How far are you from the american food store?  How much is peanut butter there and is it american peanut butter?

Kyler:
Like half an hour and its like 8 dollars, but they only have Peter Pan chunky.

Mom:
I can mail some to you but it will cost more than that and it will take like six weeks. Would you rather me give you extra money on friday for peanut butter? I can mail some jiffy smooth as well.

Kyler:
yeah thats fine too!!

Mom:

Something that dad left out in his update...

 Rick came down on Saturday (along with two guys, Zak and grandpa) and they started work on the basement. It will be a little longer than we thought, but at least it is started. They will be back in two more weeks to get it all wired.

As far as me, I am looking so forward to spring break and then summer! 

All is well!

 Mom:

Did you ever get a camera for Elder Vaca? 

 

Kyler:

no not yet! i still want to!

i have to go!! i love you all!! until next week!!

 

Mom:

I LOVE YOU!!!!! muah - Mom

xoxo

 

Bishopric and investigators

Elder Valencia and me getting ready to burn a shirt for our 1 year!

Out and about in a corn field

Playing with a baby cow

Hugging a cactus

The castle!!!

My companion Elder Ortiz

Elder Vaca

The Zone eating together at the castle.

That bottle I have is the best juice I've ever had!!

The Zone walking together



Week 57

March 17, 2013

 

Hey everyone!!

 

Sorry this weeks email will be short. I just typed up a nice long summary of my week and the Internet went out and the had to start it over so I just left to another shop. This week was great! We worked super hard and had a lot of success. Johny who I told y'all about last week is progressing so much! iIreally think he'll be ready by the 29th.

 

Sunday, I was asked to give a last second talk about 2 minutes before sacrament. I had no idea what to talk about so I just said a little prayer for help and inspiration. I ended up talking about one of my personal studies I had this week. I was reading in the book of Matthew when Jesus walked on water. This story is super interesting. He left his apostles alone in the boat and went to a mountain to pray. During that time the winds got bad and they were scared. Then during the 4th Watch of the morning (after researching and looking I found that is the hours of 3am to 6am) They look out to the sea and think they see a ghost or a spirit of some sort. Then Jesus says "Fear not, it is I." And then Peter says "Lord, if that's you, make it so that I can walk on the water." And Jesus responds with "Come." (I don't have my scriptures with me right now so sorry if this isn't word for word). He begins to walk and then sinks and Jesus ask him why he doubted? But he does it!  I love this story. And I like to compare the boat to the gospel and the sea to the world. We can walk in this world and still be disciples of Christ. In the world we live in today it's difficult. But if we act as followers of Christ and have faith in him and trust in Him we can do miracles and we can overcome Satan's temptations like pornography, alcohol, etc. It's POSSIBLE!!! Because we have our SAVIOR!!

 

I have to go, I have no time but I love you all and I'll talk to y'all next week!!!

Love Elder Berrett

 

 

We were able to catch him online and chat with him for just a moment.  He asked about all the family and wants everyone to know that he thinks of you all often.

 

He said he has pictures (but no time) and will send them next week!

Until then!

Week 56

March 10, 2014

 

Hey Everyone!!

 

Well, another incredibly fast week has gone by here in the mish. Everything is great! I'm enjoying my new companion a bunch, although i tend to miss Elder Rojas from time to time. So last week was Carnival. That was quite the experience. It's basically just a big party all week long. I've learned that Latinos look for any excuse possible to have a party. Its okay though, haha its their culture. But it did look fun! We basically were on lock down Monday and Tuesday. We had to be in the house by 3 and we couldn't participate in any of the water fights. That's also a big deal during carnival, you can just get anyone in the streets wet. It doesn't matter if we are in dress clothes or not. Everyone is a target especially the blonde guy. So the little bit of time we were out working I did indeed get soaked. It was fun though!! I'd love to come back and and be able to participate! That was Monday and Tuesday. Also Monday night we took Elder Phillips to the hospital. He wasn't feeling good so we got permission to take him there. That's about the closest I got to getting out of the house.

 

Wednesday was a great work day! i was so ready to leave and have a normal day! We went back to the mountains where I was almost mobbed and killed. haha We knocked a bunch of doors and found new people to teach. The people there are great and are always willing to listen to us. After each lesson they always, without a doubt, ask us where our church is and they all want to go. But the problem is that its pretty far for them and they can't afford taxis to get there. So my comp and I are thinking of a plan to get them there. We are thinking of using a member who has a huge van. We are going to ask him this week if next Sunday he can pass by their village before church. While we were there we also found a less active family. They told us they don't attend anymore because the people in their last ward judged them and didn't include them in anything because they we're super poor and living in a pretty wealthy ward. Now maybe they could have been a little dramatic, but still let that be a reminder to all of us that everyone is a child of God. And we don't have the right to judge one another. It doesn't matter the things we have or don't have. I'm sure it will be a sad day when the people from that ward have to stand before Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and explain what happened with that.

 

Thursday was awesome! Funny story. So with Elder Rojas about 4 months ago we found a man named Johny in the street painting a door. We helped him and taught him. He told us that wasn't his house and he lived a little farther away but still in our area. So the next day we went to look for his house based off the directions he gave us. We couldn't find anything! We looked for hours, knocking all the doors in that area and nobody knew Johny. About 2 weeks later we found him walking in the street and we asked him EXACTLY where he lived and he told us. So we went the next day and same story, nothing!!!! So we basically gave up because he doesn't have a cell phone or anything like that. For the next few months every time we passed by his area we looked, but nothing. Well, with my new comp, the other day we found him again in the street!!! So I just said, hey Johny take us to your house right now, PLEASE!!!! So he did! Turned out to be one of the first doors we knocked the first time but the guy that answered said he didn't live there.  (it was his brother trying to get rid of us) haha  So we entered and taught him again, and invited him to church. He has come to church the past two weeks and has a date to be baptized on the 29th!!! I have no doubt that God is telling him it's his time!! It's amazing how Heavenly Father works. I love it.

 

The rest of the week was pretty basic! We worked, worked and worked a little more! I love working. In the beginning i was scared because i couldn't talk and i didn't want to say something wrong. But now I love it. It's fun and the time flies by!!

I love serving others! It's something i had to learn how to do. Service is nothing without love. Without love, you're just doing it for recognition or a reward, but if its out of love, it's real. Mosiah 2:17. READ IT!!! Anyways i love you! i cant wait to hear from you guys! Today will be fun as we are going to play paintball! I'm pumped! haha Have a wonderful week! Until next Monday!!

Love,

Elder Berrett

Dad:

Are you still there?  This is Dad.

 

Kyler:

Hey Dad!  I'm leaving now, like in 2 minutes.

 

Dad:

Alright, sorry Bud.  We'll chat next week!  Love you tons!!

 

Kyler:

Its alright! i love you too! have a great week! Send everyone my love!

 

 

Family Home Evening with the Salazar Family

They're awesome!

We celebrated Sister Gregorias birthday! :)

This is the plate we ate. It was good. Looks gross, but tastes great!

Week 55

March 3, 2014

 

So last week, we found out that Kyler had been accepted to BYU!  He has been asking every week for over a month now.  He wants to go to BYU so bad! 

 

So my email to him this week started out like this....

 

YOU GOT INTO BYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Is that the best news or what!!!! I will give you a few minutes to process it!

....

....

....

....

Ok, so now that you have had time to think about it...Can you believe it?

 You are officially a COUGAR! Go BYU!

 

And then I waited and checked my email and waited some more for him to get on.

and then, I got this...

 

Kyler:

HEYYY!!!! I'M here!!! I'm literally toooo excited to type a huge email!!!

 

Mom:

I bet you are! Can you believe it? :)

 

Kyler:

NOOOO!! I kind of think it's a joke!!!!! hahaha OH MY GOSH!!!!!

 

Kaydens uniforms are sooooooooooooo SICK!!! I'm so jealous!!!!!! and Wow! Buford Gymnastics! That's so cool!! Hows it going with that? and Manning!! :)

(I had sent him some pictures with my email)

 

Mom:

Did you see where I sent you the email with the actual admissions letter?

 

Kyler:

Yeah! i just read it!! gosh I'm so excited!

I know its because I'm here in the mission giving it my all. I know the Lord has blessed me. I really don't deserve to go there!

 

Mom:

Yes, you do deserve to go there. Your application was awesome! Lexi said that on some of the pages she had nothing. She got in because of her grades, you got in because of all the extra-curricular stuff. Service, volunteering, school involvement. So yes, you have been blessed because of your mission, but you also earned it!

 

Kyler:

haha wow! I'm so excited! So now what? Are you guys going to defer me?

(i think that's the right term)

 

Mom:

I need to defer by May 1st. I have to let them know what semester you would like to start. Can you check with your pres and let me know what he says?

 

Kyler:

Yeah! i think we have interviews this month so I'll talk to him then.

 

Mom:

Ok, sounds good! How was this week?

 

Kyler:

It was great! I got my new companion, Elder Ortiz! He's great! hey i got to go do something real quick but I'll get back on later! I have to take a sick elder home!! I'll be back to finish!!

 

(so he got back on a couple hours later)

 

Mom:

How do you feel now that you have had time to think about it? Can you tell me more about how your week is been?

 

Kyler:

I feel awesome! I'm so excited. This week was great! i got my new comp! He's great! He's from Guatemala!We had a normal week! We have a bunch of people with baptismal dates! And about 8 of them are for the 15th! So be praying for that! Today and tomorrow is a holiday called Carnival! All the people in the streets have water and and it's basically a giant water fight!! We have to be in the house by 4pm today and tomorrow! But just walking the streets looks way fun!!

 

Mom:

I've been hearing a lot about carnival on my mom's email group. It sounds like a lot of fun. But just remember to stay in and stay safe. I am so thrilled with all that you're doing and all that you are becoming. I am so happy for you being accepted to BYU. It will be a lot of fun and a lot of hard work! But I know that you are up for the task. Did you get a chance to chat with Lexi today?

 

Kyler:

I'm chatting with her right now. Yeah it will be whole lot of work, but I'm up for the challenge!

 

Dad:

Hey Bud - I have like two minutes. I just want you to know I love you and am so very proud of you. I know we tell you that just about every week, but it's so true! We were so excited to see your acceptance letter to BYU. We need to start figuring out all of the details. Keep working hard and being obedient. The blessings come because of those two things. Until next week!

Love you bud - Dad

 

Kyler:

thanks dad! i too have to go. the blessings are real!! well I love you and I'll talk to you next week!!

 

Mom:

How long has your companion been on his mission? And are you the senior companion at this point, or does that change?

 

Kyler:

He's been here for 4 months. yeah, I've been senior comp the whole mission, other than my training. Hey, I have to go. Have all your questions and details ready for next week so we can get talking about that! I love you all so much!!!

 

Mom:

Goodbye!  I love you more than you even know (and I know I tell you that alot!!!)

But, it's so true! We are all so very proud of you!  Your hardwork is not going unnoticed! Your example is far reaching! I love you!  Be safe!

Until next week!

Love - Mom

XOXO

 

Riding in a taxi (the glasses aren't real, don't worry i still have perfect vision.)

 

Dancing last night after dinner. P-day Eve always gets a little crazy.

 

Guinea Pig (we ate it after, not kidding)

 

 

 

  

 

Cool graffiti! "the street is my school"