Week 95

December 8, 2014

 

My Dear Family and Friends,

 

How sad it is that this is my last letter? It won’t be too long since it’s late for me! We had a long day. It’s my last p-day so I had a whole lot of things to do and a people to visit. Next Monday we won’t have time for internet because we will have a meeting all day where they are basically going to teach us how to go home and jump into the world! haha.

 

So the key things that happened this week. First, Laura and Majo went to the temple and did baptisms!!! It was such a beautiful day and they loved it. They said they want to go back again and again. It was a very special moment for me and my companion, especially at this point in our mission. There’s nothing better than watching someone see and enter the temple for the first time. I’m hoping and praying that his week I'll be able to attend the sealing of the Rocha Family. It’s either this week or next week. Depends what their bishop says.

 

On Friday I had my exit interview with President Hansen. What an amazing 30 minutes that was. We talked about everything from the beginning to the end of my time here. Also, about everything after from school, a career and marriage. He’s a great guy that really was inspired with words of wisdom for me. I’m going to miss working with him here in the mission.

 

Also, quick update with our miracle family. Abel's parents are great! We got to visit them twice this week and they are progressing in the right direction. They are praying and wanting to receive answers. We asked them how they feel in the church and as they learn more and as they pray. They said there is a peaceful feeling. They also mentioned that they’ve had peace since their son has been on a mission.  My companion and I, both at the same time, pulled out Matthew 14:26 to explain how the spirit works and then Galatians (I think that how you spell it in English) 5:22-23 to explain how one feels the Spirit. They took that as an answer. They were hesitant to accept baptism but that is what they are now praying about. Abel wrote my companion and me through a member in the ward, and the letter said that he was so grateful that we answered his prayers. He said if he could just get them to listen they would eventually accept the Gospel. It was super nice of him to write us and express his gratefulness.

 

This week will be one of the hardest weeks of my life as I’ll be traveling to my old areas, saying good bye to my best friends and families, that I’ve made these two years. I love this country with all my heart. I’m so grateful to have been called to the greatest mission in the world. Bolivia will forever be embedded in my heart.

 

Well, I was thinking I was going to write ya’ll a big long testimony but I think I’ll make it small and simple.

 

I know what I’ve done for two years is true. I know this is the Lords work. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. I love Jesus Christ and I am forever his debtor. I don’t deserve all that He has done for me, but I’ll take it and take full advantage of it. It took me long enough, but I can say with all my heart, mind, and strength that I am His disciple.

 

HASTA VER!!!!!

 

Elder Kyler Golden Berrett

 

PS - Thank you for your support and letters these last two years. It has meant so much to me.

 

Rick and both each wrote a final letter to him as a missionary!

I think that was probably the hardest thing I have had to do in a long time.

I must say that I shed many tears writing the letter, and then again when I emailed with him today.

 

I am totally in awe at all that he has become over the past two years! I still cannot believe that I have been given such a sweet spirit to care for in this life!  I am not worthy!

 

I cannot wait to see what his future holds!

 

Here is some of his repsonse to our letters....

 

 

Hey mom and dad, thanks for the letters!!

 

I may not have had the greatest success here, but I am glad I've been able to witness some miracles. President asked what is the most cherished thing I'll take home and I said my testimony and all he could do was smile and say thats exactly right. I haven't baptized a ton or taken families to the temple or done a whole lot, but you know what? I truly am happy and satisfied because I've given it my all, every single day! And most of all, I've had one true convert and that is me. And I can't deny the truth. Thank you so much for raising me to get to this point and be able to serve a mission. I can't wait to see you guys soon! Please send everyone my love! See you soon!

 

Love your son,

Elder Berrett

Week 94

December 1, 2014



Hello Family!!!

 

This was probably my last full normal week as a missionary. I actually didn’t realize that until this morning, but I felt good because I really gave it my all this week. I also felt good as I sat back and pondered about the past two years. I’m happy. I know I’ve done all I can! BUT...it’s still not over!! :)) This week we have a few conferences so that makes the week a little different but it’s alright! We still we have plenty of time to proselyte.

 

Tuesday we had a very cool experience! We were knocking a door and as we were waiting for someone to answer a woman with her little daughter walked by. We decided we'd talk to her and she was great! After about 2 minutes someone answered the door! So I left my comp to talk to the woman and I went and talked to the woman that answered the door. I talked to her for about 10 minutes while Elder Nicho was still talking to the other woman. I had enough time to get to know her and teach all about Joseph Smith! She was super nice and said she’d love for us to meet her husband! So I took down an appointment and we went back on Thursday and met her husband! They seem pretty interested. Anyways, at the end I asked her to pray and she did! As we finished and parted, I went back to my companion and they were finishing with a prayer! My comp said she was amazing!! But she didn’t live in our area so we passed the reference to the other elders in the ward and they ended up bringing her to church and now is one of their main investigators. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

 

In my first months here there was a young man in the ward named Abel that recently went on a mission. He always went with us to do visits. He’s the only member in his family. We ran into his mom last week and she was super nice. We went to his house and taught her and Abel’s dad. After teaching all of lesson 1, The Restoration, his dad said, "When my son tried to teach me about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon I didn’t want anything to do with it, I told him if he believed in that then fine for him, but now that you two young men have explained it to me I understand. I’m going to read the Book of Mormon and pray." He and his wife both came to church yesterday and loved it!! Everyone was soooo excited to see Abel's parents for the first time at church! Everyone came up to us and said "Elders, I’ll help all you guys want with Abel's parents." And "You guys have to get them baptized for Abel!" haha it was a little over whelming. I know that his family is being blessed, thanks to his service to the Lord as a missionary. Just like my family has been blessed...I hope haha

 

As ya'll saw in the pictures Laura and Majo got baptized. It was super special and I felt the spirit so strong with them and their family. I’m super happy to have been able to teach them the past five months. Also I can’t wait to keep in touch and see their progress over the years.

 

Well, I love you all so much. Next week will be my last email. My last Monday, I probably won’t get on the internet since I’ll be home the next day. Until next week!!

 

Love -

Elder Berrett

 

Laura and Majo's baptism! It went super well. I baptized Laura (the taller one) and and my comp baptized Majo. They gave the best testimonies at the end!

After the ordinance

After, with the whole family!

 



Week 93

November 24, 2014

 

Family!!!

 

Wow the pics look great!! I love pictures! I love Kayden's ride and girl! That’s pretty sweet! He looks happy!  Mom,I’m diggin the glasses and dad, I’m diggin my tie. Seems like everyone is well!

 

This week was super fast! Just like all the weeks. I’m really just trying to work my tail off in these last days as one of the Lord's assigned servants. I’ve been going to the gym early in the morning with my comp and other Elders the past week and a half! I love it. I will admit, I did go through a fat stage here in the mish but about 6 months ago when I got to this area I lost it all. It’s true when they say that the missionaries here go up and down with their weight. I recently saw a bunch of members from my first area and they all say that I’m way skinnier haha.   I’m happy though I just don’t want to come home fat haha. We are working super hard. They are going to close our area since my comp and I are both dying this transfer. Just the missionaries that are here in the ward are going to take over. So little by little we are showing them the area and introducing them to our investigators, less actives, and recent converts.

 

So about Laura and Maria Jose! Laura come to English class on Wednesday and told us, "I’ve prayed harder than ever and I know I want to get baptized on Saturday with my Sister." We were like what!?!?! YEAAAAHHHH BOY!!!!!! And then we realized she couldn’t because she lacked one church attendance. She’s been to Sacrament 12 times, and gospel principles 8, but she’s only been to 3rd hour twice and the mission rule is that they have to attend 3 times to all 3 meetings. Maria Jose has been to all of the meetings, plenty of times. So we gave them a few options as to when they want to get baptized and we all decided it would be better if they did it together. So we planned it for next Sunday at 1. Right before church so they can receive the Holy Ghost right after during Sacrament meeting.

 

Something personal I started last 2 weeks ago is reading Preach My Gospel one last time. This morning in my personal study I finished and I felt the Spirit so strong as I prayed that the Lord would bless me with diligence and strength in the final stretch. I know the Church is true and I know that this is the Lords work. I love him and trust him with my life. I love you all! Hopefully I’ll get a letter soon from yall!!

 

Love

Elder Berrett

 

PS MOM!!!! I GOT YOUR PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS DESTROYED!!!!!!! The chick-fil-a sauce was all opened and had destroyed the packaging. I was able to save the majority of the the stuff. Everything but the Peanut butter crackers and....the oreos :(  They got opened and chick fil a sauce all over them. So sad!  And I think there was a letter in there but I couldn't tell. It was just a soggy colorful paper with smeared words hahaha Thank you though!! I love you :)