Week 69

June 9, 2014

HUALEGIA PUNI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FECHAS, NUEVOS, Y BAUTISMOS!!!!!!!!!!! Word! The work is picking up and going!!!!!! I can't even keep up with it sometimes. It's annoying but great at the same time. I open up my agenda to make an appointment with someone and I cant do it the day they want because I'm full with appointments or meetings or something! It's a great thing though. I love it!

Tuesday was kind of a bum day. Super busy but just not with lessons. We had our district meeting and after we had to go with the assistants and some sisters from our zone to go look for a new house for them. Why? Because its haunted. Well that's what they tell us. haha They don't feel comfortable there so we had to go look for a new house. It's been kind of a pain all week but they figured it out and found a nice house. Tomorrow we will help them move in. After that we had to do finances allllll the way down town at the offices, so we had almost no time to work. We taught like 2 lessons. Not bad for how little time we had.

Wednesday was awesome. The first Wednesday of every month is the zone leaders meeting of the mission. It's was super cool. President speaks about everything that's going on in the mission and church and teaches us a few things. I love that man. Also a few randomly chosen companionships teach lessons. One companionship backed out literally 5 minutes before because one elder got super sick so Elder Weekes being my best bud and the assistant to president begged us to fill in. So we went up there in front of president and about 30 of the most experienced and best missionaries and....WINGED IT. But it ended up being really cool! We taught about teaching people and not lessons. I used D&C 50:13-22 to end the lesson. It was actually super fun. I love speaking in front of big groups. The leaders meeting was super sad at the end. President shared his last testimony and we sang a song and everyone cried and blah blah blah. I don't want to talk about it because it makes me want to cry right now. hahaha I hate crying now. Before the mission I always did it, haha but yeah it was super sad. I'm going to miss him a bunch! 

Thursday was so FUN! We worked all day long without distractions!!!!! We taught 8 lessons and found a bunch of news people. We currently have 6 people with a baptism date. I feel really good about a bunch of them too. We need to commit more people though. So we have another baptism this week!! I'm excited! It's another 20 year old guy!!! His name is Rubens. We've been teaching him since I got here! He's the man and super ready for Saturday!  haha I kind of want to baptize a woman before I go home, haha or a girl. I don't care, just a female! I've only baptized men!!  But it's okay, I'm happy, more PRIESTHOOD HOLDERS!!!!!! 

Sunday was a great day! We had 3 very important investigators come to church and they loved it. The ward is great! I love them! 

Well family and friends....i love being a missionary. i wish time would slow down for me. This is the only time in my life I will be authorized to invite someone to follow the Saviors example and be baptized. It's the only time I will ever be called Elder. It's the only time I can promise people the blessing the Lord has in store as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sounds like everyone is great!! Dad's going to teach seminary!!!!! Word up!!!!!!! That's so awesome!! I'm pumped to talk deep doctrine with him! hahaha love you all!! have a great week! until then!!

Elder Berrett

We slept on the roof of our apartment building last night.

Push up contest with my comp!

We were coming back from down town, waiting for a taxi and some members from our ward pass by and pick us up in their huge semi!!! So I slept on the top bunk for the hour ride!! haha

Week 68

June 2, 2014

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!

So this week was kind of awesome because we had a baptism!!! But I'm not going to lie, the life of a zone leader is a whole lot of work! But the good thing is that I love it!!! My companion and I are sooooo busy!!! I honestly don't understand where the day went when we are sitting at dinner every night. 

This weeks email will be a little short as we weren't able to get a whole lot done. Monday night on elder in my zone had to go into emergency surgery. His appendix burst and it was kind of a dramatic process but we got him into surgery and everything was fine. We just had to be in the hospital with his companion, Elder Emerson from Texas. It was cool, we were there til midnight learning magic tricks. I'll teach y'all when i get home. So we were there for a while and the next day we had to go back and do a split so Elder Emerson could shower and stuff. 

The next day we were in the offices for our interviews with President Dyer. It was my last one. Pretty sad actually. B'ut hes great and gave me a whole bunch of tips and encouragement with my new calling as zone leader. I'm actually really sad to see him go. Hopefully I can adjust well to the new president. I'm sure he'll be awesome too.

Thursday was the baptism of Alex!!!!! It was small but super spiritual and awesome!!! I love baptisms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well this week we didn't get as much done because we ran around like chickens with our head cut off going from place to place, hospital to hospital, and etc. we taught about 18 lessons that went well. I will admit as much as I love being a zone leader, I miss being a normal missionary working everyday. But there's a reason why I'm here and I know God has put me here to do this work. So I'm 10000% willing to do it and love it! 

So Easton got blessed!? That's awesome!!! and Ayden is getting baptized!!!! Awesomer!!!!! Sounds like things are amazing back there! I couldn't be happier for everyone!! Well I love you all so much! Please send everyone my love!! Have a wonderful week!!

Love 

Elder Berrett

Me and Elder Weekes this morning (and others)

The baptism we had this week! His name is Alex. Hes super awesome. He's twenty and loves the church. His testimony after he was baptized was so spiritual. I was super happy for him. We had the ward mission leader do the ordinance.

The baptism and the other missionaries from our ward that were there.

Morning studies with mate!!! Hipsta!!!!

My companion and I had a picture war the other night laying in bed.

BFF's

Week 67

May 26, 2014

HELLO!!

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!! I LOVE MY NEW CALLING AND AREA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I'm sorry if I forget to tell y'all something, because there is SO MUCH to say haha! 

So Tuesday was a traveling day. I got on a bus to go to the airport then I took an hour flight from Sucre to Cochabamba. So when I got here I met my comp, Elder De Los Heros! He's the man! I love him! He speaks English! haha That's nice when we are in public and we have to talk about someone near us. haha So my house is unreal!!!! I love it!! I live in a recently built condo. It's so nice and I live with 4 missionaries!! The other two are Elder Kenny (he's awesome and from Draper, Utah) and his comp who is brand new to the mission. He has 5 day here!! haha His name is Elder Garcia. So my first day Elder Kenny and my comp took me to a members house. The member was acting like a drunk. Before we went they told me we were going to visit an investigator, anyways long story short.....she acted drunk and was super sad and emotional because I told her we had to postpone her baptism. (I thought or I was told she had a baptism date). I was trying to comfort her, using scriptures, and telling her she'll get baptized but she'll just have to fix this problem then she can do it. Then all at he same time they all laughed and yelled "WELCOME TO SACABA!!!" hahahahaha Gosh...yes..i got punked. 

Wednesday was awesome. My comp showed me the area. And I met all the investigators and members. This week we taught 19 lessons. Which for me is the lowest in a while, although the normal of excellence is 20. But my companion told me that was the most he has taught in the time he's been here. I know and understand that as zone leaders we don't teach as much because we are always going to the offices to meet with president and the secretaries (which is awesome). President Dyer is the man. Also we are constantly going to all the houses in the zone to check stuff, pay water and electricity bills, and a whole bunch of other stuff. 

Thursday was awesome. We had our companionship inventory where we talk, and set goals and figure out what we need to do to help each other out to better ourselves as missionaries. That went super well. We are excited about our area and being zone leaders together.

Friday we went to the offices and did finances. It was super easy. I didn't realize how organized the mission and secretaries are. It was super cool. We get a budget as a zone and as junior companion I'm in charge of the finances of the zone and all the missionaries money. It's kind of stressful, but I like it a lot. 

Sunday was different!! Our ward doesn't have a chapel so we meet at 2 in the afternoon for reunion sacramental and Sunday school! So all Sunday morning we have time to teach and pick people up for church! I love it! Sunday night was a little stressful as we have to receive the numbers from the zone and send them to president and his assistants (elder Weekes hahaha). But other than, that we have fun in our house. The four of us have fun dancing and singing and laughing all night long. It's awesome! 

Well I love you all! I love where I'm at in the mission and in life! The rumor (that I've heard my whole life) is that the last 6 months of your mission is the best, and it is so true!! I love you all!!  Have a wonderful week!!

Love Elder Berrett!!! 

Oh! PS - something awesome!!!  My zone is called Sacaba. It includes thousands of miles of a Province called Chapare. Chapare is the only place in Bolivia that is super "rainforesty". And I have to travel there every weekend for about 7 hours in bus to give the sacrament to the members in the little villages there!!!!! It's AWESOME!!! THERE ARE MONKEYS!!!!!!!!

Me and my comp playing chess. 

He has a giant black rob he wears at night. It's hilarious! He said he feels like an assassin, so it's whatever. 

oh yeah...btw I love chess now. 

Elder Garcia! haha he's so new! 

On the airplane traveling back to Cochabamba!

Saying bye to my fans from the ward, that came to the airport to say good-bye!

At the airport in Sucre with my dudes.......I mean Elders!

Saying good-bye to my pensionista in Sucre.

Week 66

May 19, 2014

 

Hello USA!!!!

 

Wow!!!!! What a week!!!!!!!! Full of Miracles and Surprises!!!!!!!! I'll start off by telling you guys the boring or normal stuff that happened. So p-day we played Walley and basketball all day long. It was fun but I've never been so worn out after a p-day. haha

 

So the mission has a new goal that every companionship can talk to 15 people in the street everyday and at least explain what our purpose is and see if they're interested. So we focused on that a lot this week. And it works! If you talk to few people you'll teach few people, but if you talk to a lot you'll teach a lot! We talked with 18 one day and of those 18 about 7 accepted us and were interested! We were talking with everyone before, but we weren't focusing on it and now its one of our main focuses.

 

Thursday I went to do an interview baptismal for a sister some elders in my district are teaching. Well, it was pretty personal, some of the things she told me but after talking to her for 2 AND A HALF hours of interviewing and talking to her we decided that she's more than ready to be baptized next week!  Yeah that was quite an intense conversation and moment but I loved it too! I love baptismal interviews!!

 

So Thursday was awesome!! We had a young man tell us he wants to get baptized now!! We told him lets do it Saturday with Jesus (another young man that was getting baptized.) He said alright and, well we did it! We had a double baptism with the other elders in the ward!! I'll send the pictures after. We had the young men's president do the baptism and I did the confirmation. It was the awesome! Oh! and I sang a solo in the baptism! I wasn't even nervous! haha I sang "I'll go where you want me to go." So mom, tell Mr. Fowler. haha I regret not doing it in high school! I loved it! it was fun!

 

Sunday was awesome!! We had a bunch of investigators in the sacrament meeting and Ispoke!! I love speaking in church now! haha I don't prepare much haha I kind of just say what comes!!!! It's easier that way and less stressful the night before!!! haha well I have some news for y'all! Last night we had changes and........I'm going back to Cocha!! I was super shocked!!! But I'm going to Zona Sacaba to be the Zone Leader. Elder Weekes is in my zone, as he was called to be the Presidents Assistant!!! I'm so pumped for him!! I talked to him all this morning and he's pretty excited. So tomorrow I fly back to Cocha! I was only here in Sucre for 6 weeks! It was a huge surprise but I'm excited too.

 

Well I love you all and I love where I am and what I'm doing! I'm super happy and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!! I love you all! have a great week!

 

Love

Elder Berrett

 



Week 65

May 12, 2014

So yesterday was Mother's Day! And although I loved all the attention and love my kids at home gave me.....I was excited to skype with Kyler!

As always, it is very nice to be able to see him in person and to know that he is doing well!

He and his companion each had a computer so they each were able to chat for the whole 2+ hours! We had so much time that each person was able to have a good 20 minutes alone with him!

He is doing so well!  He is loving the work and the people of Bolivia.  He honestly has a true love for them.  He knows for a surety that each person on this earth has a divine purpose and plan!  He knows and loves the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If he could, he would shout it out and tell the whole world!  When he finds someone that will accept His word, he rejoices with them.  When he finds someone and they reject the missionaries or His message he mourns for them.  It is truly amazing to see all the changes in his life, in such a short amount of time. 

We talked about his future and his plans for college.  As much as he is loving his mission he is planning for his time at BYU. 

What classes to take? 

Where will he live? 

How is he going to get there? 

How will he get around Provo? 

If only all my kids planned like my first-born! :)

Today he emailed and we were able to chat for a little bit.  Of course, he didn't have an update (because he told us everything yesterday), but he did send pictures!

He had this to say about the pictures:

The baptism from the other night was super spiritual! His mom (in the
blue sweater) told us she wants to be baptized too now! The chapel was
packed with members and people supporters!

He mentioned that he thought transfers were coming this next week. 

However, he wasn't sure if he would be staying or leaving.

I guess we will find out next Monday.

Until then!

Week 64

May 5, 2014

 

Today's email was pretty uneventful to say the least!

I was just happy to hear from him. :)

He didn't get on until like 4:00 in the afternoon, and by then I was just glad to finally hear from him.  Here is our short conversation...

Kyler:
hey I'm here! Is anyone there?

Mom:
I'm here :)

Kyler:
Hey!!!! so Berkley won state!! awesome! Are there any pictures!?
(in repsonse to my letter to him)

Mom:
(I sent him some pictures)

Kyler:
These are awesome! I'm so excited for them! haha Were there a lot of
people there?

Mom:
The stands were full. Not many from Buford, cause it was the Variety Show and baseball playoffs.

Kyler:
Awesome!! So we skyping next week?? Have you talked with Lexi?

Mom:
Yes, I can't wait! No, I haven't talked to her yet.

Kyler:
 Text her and invite her! I think she's shy to ask because she hasn't seen y'all in so long!

Mom:
Of course I will, silly! Do you have a letter for us? What did you do today? How is your companion?

Kyler:
No I don't actually. Sorry!! I'll talk to y'all on Sunday! We played
soccer. My comp is great!! He's good. I like him!

Mom:
No update?

Kyler:
No sorry. I don't have a bunch of time.

Mom:
How are you doing? Are you okay? Have you gotten the peanut butter yet?

Kyler:
Yes, I'm okay. No, not yet. Packages take a little longer for me to get because
I'm so far from Cochabamba.
Love you all. Got to go!
Love Elder Berrett

And just like that he was gone!
At least I get to talk with him on Sunday!
Until next week!

Week 63

April 28, 2014

 

FAMILY!!! FRIENDS!!!!!!

 

Well let me start off by telling all of you that I LOVE being a missionary!!! There is nothing better to do right now other than be apart of this work! It's the best decision I've ever made, to come out here and serve the Lord.

 

So, last P-day was pretty lame. Not lame, normal, but nothing exciting happened. But today was awesome! We rented the turf field right in front of my house for a few hours and the 2 zones here in Sucre came and we played soccer of course, and I loved it. BUT, there is a member here who loves BASEBALL! YES!!! BASEBALL! and he has a bunch of equipment. So he came and we hit the ball around before soccer. So yes, I played baseball this morning!!!! It was so relieving. I felt like a new man. haha

 

Tuesday was legit! I'm really trying to motivate the district to get out and simply teach more! Just to leave their house in the morning and not come back until night time, and just to teach everyone in their path! So I focused my District meeting on that. and more than that I focused on teaching the PEOPLE, and not LESSONS. Missionaries tend to teach the lessons and not the people. They don't focus on their needs. They just teach what's in the pamphlet (I've had that problem a lot) but they don't teach what the people here need. So I've been wanting my companion and I to focus on that, as well as the district. Tuesday afternoon we taught a lot of lessons and I really focused on teaching the people and I'll tell you what, I felt the spirit a whole lot stronger leading and guiding us.

 

Thursday was a treat for me. haha  Elder Weekes and his zone came in from Potosi for a special Conference we had with President on Friday. Elder Weekes got to sleep with us in my house, so I did a lot of catching up with him and got to be with him for almost 2 whole days. The conference was great! It was basically just council and help with teaching methods. I only have one more conference with Pres. Dyer before he goes home in June. I'm kinda sad about it. I really am going to miss him. He is such a great mission president.

 

Sunday was great! We had a few investigators in the chapel and we also had our ward council. The bishop here is super new. He's only been bishop for about a month, maybe a little more. But it is obvious that he has a hard time with some things and is a little timid in decision making. We (the missionaries in the ward) had a private meeting with him and we basically just encouraged him and told him that we love serving for him, and then since he is the bishop and he is in charge of the work of salvation in our areas, we asked for a blessing, for each one of us. We felt good and so did he! It was a great experience! And last night was awesome! I was getting the numbers from each district and my district killed it this week!! They did so well! I was so proud of them! They are really changing and working hard. It was hands down the best moment this week!!

 

Well, I love you all so much. I love being here in Bolivia. It's been a true blessing. I only want to take full advantage of the little time I have left here. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is 100% true. I know it and that's the motivation I have to get out and share it everyday. Until next week!

 

Love

Elder Berrett

 

Dad:

Are you still there? It's Dad.

 

Kyler:

Hey Dad!

 

Mom:

I'm here too!!

 

Kyler:

What's up! I only have like 20 more minutes. Sorry, I type slow.

 

Dad:

Hey Bud - You sound really good! That's pretty cool that you got to play some baseball! Could you still hit and throw?

 

Kyler:

We played in a soccer field with houses around it so we didn't really hit. Just hit grounders and pop flies to one another. But it was awesome!! One elder asked me....hey do you play for BYU or just go there? So i guess that was a compliment! haha

 

Mom:

It sounds like you are making some great changes in your area. It sounds like you have gained the missionaries trust and are willing to follow you.

 

Kyler:

yeah it's actually the best feeling. I really like district leading.

 

Dad:

Are you getting along with your new companion? What is your new apartment/house like? How is the new area? Are you getting use to it?

 

Mom:

How are things going with the new companion? Are you enjoying him more? I'm so proud of the changes that you have already made in your area. It sounds like the other missionaries are willing to follow your lead.

 

Kyler:

The area is awesome! The house too! It's just that there's no hot water at all, so in the mornings I freeze in the shower. But I'm past the splashing water on me phase. Now I just take it and stand in it. My comp is great! He really loves to get out and work so I love that!!

 

Mom:

You know I always like to find you on the map. Do you have an address for your home? Or any nearby landmarks you could tell me? Did you ever get the peanut butter from the store?

 

Kyler:

iI' not sure. Try looking up "Sucre futbol field sintetico mesa verde"  or something like that. I live on the corner of the field. It's right in front of my window.

 

Dad:

How is your weight? Are you still about the same? Have you been sick lately? Did you know that Casey is getting married? Mom always forgets to ask you. I think we already told you. It's like 20 questions every time. We just want to know everything we can in the 20 minutes or so we have you each week.

 

Kyler:

Yeah he wrote me and told me!!! I wish I could be there! No, I'm not sick. The weight is fine. I'm just normal. Working out hard everyday!

 

Dad:

Is Elder Weekes a district leader too?

 

Kyler:

He's a zone leader in Potosi!

 

Mom:

It looks like me and dad keep answering the same questions. Or asking the same questions. So I will let you go. I am so very proud of you and all that you have accomplished. You are such a wonderful leader to those in the mission field and to all of us here at home. I love you with my whole heart. And I am counting down the days until I see you again. Please continue to work hard. And know that you are in our prayers every single day. I love you so very much! Keep up the good work and leave nothing behind!

 

Kyler:

Thanks mom! I love you too!

 

Dad:

Did you get the update I sent earlier?

 

Kyler:

 yeah! Everyone seems great! So Berk is going to be a State Champ!?

 

Dad:

Hopefully, she will! They are really good. Just got your pictures. You're looking great! Alright bud, I've got to go! Do all that you can. No regrets!!

 

Kyler:

Alrighty!! I love you too! bye!

 

 

I love my area. It's beautiful. Look at the view!!!

Conference with all the guys from my first district minus Thurston.

After playing soccer!

BAT AND GLOVE!!!