Week 32

September 23, 2013

 

Hola a todos!!

 

Vaya!! no puedo creer que hemos cumplido una semana mas! tiempo es rápido! Estoy bien. mi compi también. Este semana pasada fue un poco despacio pero normal. La Obra esta progresando bastante aquí y en la mission tambien! ahora somos 254 misioneros y misioneras! esto es loco!! estoy muy orgulloso a ser un parte de este obra. 

 

And, because I cannot read Spanish, I had Rick translate for me!

 

{Hello to all!!

Wow! I can't believe that we have completed another week! Time is going fast! I am doing good. So is my companion. This week was a little slow but pretty normal. The work is progressing so much here in the mission. We now have 254 elders and sisters. That is so crazy! I am so proud to be a part of this work.}

 

 

Okay, so this week was basic!! Not my best week. I wasn't sick or homesick or anything like that, I'm just getting frustrated with some of our investigators. More especially a guy named Dainor.  He's had all the lessons.  He's been to church every week for 2 months and he has a bunch of friends in the church. But he still refuses to get baptized. He even has testified that the church is true!!! He just doesn't like the idea of being committed to something. Its very frustrating.  Other than little things like that the work is going well!  This week we had a conference with Elder Cardon from the seventies about Chapter 8 of preach my gospel (how to use time wisely). It was great! We learned a whole lot about planning! We also had ward conference yesterday!! It was good! Some good talks from the Bishop and the Stake Pres. I also sang in the choir, that I've been practicing with the past two months!! It was a blast and I'm kinda sad it is over! We sang "The Lord is My Shepard" and "God Be With You Til We Meet Again", (but in Spanish of course) haha.

I'd like to start sharing a spiritual experience every week, so here's mine from this week! We were knocking doors on Friday and we came to this man named Marco. He immediately started off by telling us he doesn't like religion because it's all one big competition to see who can have more people in their church. I would have to somewhat agree if I didn't have the fullness of the gospel in my life and have the knowledge of the church that I have. He said he's heard of all the churches and has been to them all but this was his first time ever hearing about the Mormons. He said he wasn't interested because he already can tell we are just another church, knocking his door. But anyway, after an hour and a half of talking he was asking us where our chapel was. He was still pretty hard headed. But I just promised him that if he attends with us, he will feel and see something he's never felt or seen before. He agreed and said he couldn't this week, but would next week. I'm hoping and praying so hard for this man. This experience was way spiritual but in a different way than normal. We took a few moments of silence to really listen to the spirit. I learned a lot from that.

Well that's about all I got!! I love and miss you guys so much!! Sounds like everyone is doing awesome! Send everyone my love, please!! I love and miss you all!!

Con Amor,

Elder Berrett

Week 31

September 16, 2013

Hey Everyone!!!

So this week went great!! It was the week of cambios {transfers} and we had a lot of changes in our zone so it was nice to see and chat with different missionaries. I saw Elder Bennett for the first time since the MTC!! ahhh that was awesome to see how he's been doing. He came up from Potosi for one day to do some visa papers and I had to do it too! So it was great to talk to him! He'll be a great, long time friend when I get home! So the work is a whole lot better in this area! We have 4 investigators that are at church literally every Sunday and have been for over a month now. 2 of them are a couple who were a reference from a recent convert in the ward. They're great!! Yesterday I taught the Gospel Principles class in church, about tithing and fast offerings. They loved it and we had a long conversation about the church with them after the class. We have an appointment with them tomorrow! But I haven't told y'all the crazy part about what happened yesterday....After that conversation, Alvaro (the husband) totally went into a panic attack and having a seizure and squirming around on the floor and I was freakin out and literally thought my investigator was going to die right there at church!! Turns out he has them all the time and gets them when he feels really overwhelmed with something! After 20 minutes he was fine and told us he was feeling really good after talking to us and that's why it happened!! gosh!! I'm scared to teach him again!! Could you imagine how his baptism would be!!?? haha (working on that) Well other than that this week was pretty good and normal!! I cant wait to talk!! Bye!! :) I love y'all!!

Elder Berrett

Dad:

Hey bud - It's Dad! Sorry I've been unable to get on the past few weeks. Just been busy at work. That's crazy about Alvaro having a seizure. 

 

It's so good to hear from you. Monday is our new favorite day by far! There's nothing like waiting and waiting to hear how things are going. Hopefully, the Lord will bless you with a few baptisms before you leave the area. I'm guessing it's going to be really hard for you to leave that area. I was in my first area for 7 months and it was very hard to leave all the people you've come to love and know.

 

Kyler:

Hey dad!! It's all good! I understand!

Yeah it's going to be way hard for me too. Work wise I'm ready to leave and try a new area but I don't want to leave my ward for anything....there is this joke that's been going on in our ward for a few weeks that I'm going to come back after 2 years and be bishop of Barrio Sarco. And yesterday a Sister gave a talk and talked about us missionaries visiting her kids and helping them prepare to go on a mission one day and she was all crying and told me in front of everyone that she can't wait for me to come back and be bishop!! hahaha I loved it!! It's going to be so hard to leave!

 

Dad:

Obispo Berrett - sounds pretty good! Things are going good here! Manning has his first game tomorrow night. His team is the White Sox. The coach said he will be the first one to pitch so it ought to be interesting. He's been practicing and has done pretty well.

 

Kayden's Team Gwinnett played this past week and went 3-1. It's very difficult trying to get 9 guys to show up in the fall. It's fun though to show up with 9 or 10 guys and still beat these teams with 20+ guys on their roster. 

I'll work on getting the workout stuff to you this week. I'm glad you still have a desire to play. Focus on what's at hand, first and foremost though. 

Grandma Sharon called me this past week. She is already working on a Christmas package and wanted to know what to you might want. I'm sure whatever it is, you'll be glad to get it.

Will you please write Kayden a personal letter when you get a chance? He's feeling a lot like you did your senior year when all of your friends were getting offers to play and you didn't. He's just really down some days and I hate to see him like that. I think he's really confused with what he wants to do.  You need to stay really close to him over the next several months through your letters if you can.

 

Kyler:

ahh yeah I can't wait for that workout stuff. Yeah that's what I realized this week, is that I only get these 2 years one time, so I'm really trying everyday from 6:30 to 10:30 to give it my all to the Lord. I also know that when I do that, the Lord will bless me after the mission. 

Yeah, I will write him a nice long letter this week and send it next week. Also have him email me and I can start sending him a weekly email. I've been wanting to do that for the longest time with him.

 

Dad:

I will tell Kayden to email you this week. Mom said she will try to get on but she is real busy at work. Of course, she loves you and is super proud!!

 

Tell me about your mornings? Is it still personal study, companionship study, workout, etc..?? What are you doing for your personal study? Companionship study? Is it all in Spanish?? Are you feeling pretty comfortable now with the language??

 

I'm starting school today. How crazy is that? I am very concerned about finding the time to do all that is required, but I figure I'll manage. I keep waiting for the perfect time to do it and have realized that I'll be waiting forever. So, why not go for it and see what happens. The hardest part of this whole thing is that they require you to meet each Thursday night at the Glenridge building, near the temple. I've decided though I'll take advantage of it and attend the temple while I'm there and make the most of it. You have to follow their program for the first year. I am only allowed to take two classes this semester and one of them is the Book of Mormon. I'm excited about that. I'm going to get Mom to study with me. Anyway, I'm excited about it.

 

Kyler:

Well I have to go!! I love you all! Tell everyone hi for me and that I love and miss them! Here are some pictures from my week!! 

 

Thanks for the advice Dad. I'll pray for Kayden and ask for help to know exactly what to tell him. I love you!

 

Dinner at a members house

Goofing around...Kyler style

 

Until next week!

Week 30

September 9, 2013

 

This week Kyler really didn't give us a solid weekly update.  We we're just chatting back and forth!

 

So I started out with an email to him and updated him on the family and asked him about his week.

I also sent him some pictures of our family!

 

Kyler:

Oh my gosh I'm loving these pictures!! Keep 'em coming!

How are y'all!!?? sounds like everything is good! I can't believe how fast everything is going!! That's awesome about Berkley and BYU and Carston and his complete change of hobbies over the past seven months!! haha Kayden's joker pictures is awesome! I showed my whole zone because we are here at internet together and they loved it. haha Anyways, I can't wait to here from you mom! Love Kyler! :)

 

Mom:

Hi babe! How are doing? Are you feeling better?

 

Kyler:

Hi!!! :)

I'm great!! don't worry! You can tell Mrs. Walton that I had 52 people this week at my English class!! haha It was awesome! We taught them how to pray in English!! Last night was transfers but nothing for me!! I'm here again for at least another cambio!! I'll complete 8 and half months in one area!! haha crazy!!!

 

Mom:

I will let her know! How exciting! I bet they are loving to learn a little English! That could totally change their lives! And you are staying in Cocha? Didn't we already know that because you are training Elder Vaca for 12 weeks?

 

Kyler:

Yeah, but there was still a chance I could go because its been so long! hey have y'all finished my BYU stuff??

 

Mom:

So you're there for a few more weeks, huh?  How many more weeks until the next cambio?

{like my Spanish?}

 

Kyler:

haha yeah its great!! 6 weeks!

 

Mom:

Did dad email you last night?  I know he was working on it but I'm not sure if he emailed you or sent it thru dear elder?

 

Kyler:

No he didn't! It was probably dear elder!  yeah!!! oh hey I have a request!! Can y'all copy and send me a copy of all the P90X videos!! :)) and maybe some workout bands??

 

Mom:

Sure!  I think we can. I will get working on that, and some workout bands. Wow!  Look at you go! We can start calling you Elder Buff!

 

Kyler:

haha I have a goal in mind about baseball after the mish so I'm preparing for that now!   I actually bought a pass for the gym near our house!! haha We go almost every morning!!

 

Mom:

Really...that is awesome! Is it okay to pay for the gym?  What are your plans for baseball?

 

Kyler:

Yeah we can do it!! It's way cheap too. Like 7 dollars. My plans are to come home and absolutely play. If I get accepted to BYU, I WILL play there. And if not, then I'll go somewhere else and play.

 

Mom:

All you can do is your very best and the rest will be taken care of! 
Dad can't get on today but he wanted me to tell you that he loves you very much and that he sent you a dear elder.

 

Kyler:

Which reminds me! Can y'all start applying me to UofU, SLCC, UVU and Dixie??

 

Mom:

Well holy crap!  That is a lot of applying! But yes, we will get working on it! If you work hard, it will all pay off in the end

 

Kyler:

okay sweet! I cant wait to read it!! Tell him I love him and miss him!  Thanks!! and those schools aren't as hard at BYU (I think is what Lexi told me) so it's not as much work!

 

Mom:

I'll check with her!  Since we text after we talk to you anyway! :)

 

Kyler:

hahaha oh nice!! Every week?

 

Mom:

Yes, we chat and comment on twitter and stuff!  We're cool like dat :) 

 

Kyler:

haha, cool!

 

Mom:

I have a feeling your time is up so I wanted to be sure to let you know that I love you and you know how proud I am! You make me smile when I know what you are doing! I am so happy to know that you are preaching the Lord's word! He is mindful of you and loves you so much! We miss you everyday, but know that what you are doing is right! I love you to the moon and back!!

 Love - Mom

 

Kyler:

thanks!! :) yeah I know! and for that I don't worry!

 

Alrighty!! Well I have to go!! I love you mom! Please tell everyone I love and miss them!!! Also, please turn in the BYU app ASAP! I'm getting so anxious about that!! haha and the P90X stuff!! haha Thanks :)
Until next week!!

Love Elder Berrett

 

He also included some pictures! :)

Me and my companion

 

The four missionaries from our ward. 

The one in the middle is Alan, he leaves for his mission tomorrow.

 

Painted on the side of a house...

"We are Catholic. Dont Bother"

 {it's completly normal!}

And why plant a tree when you can plant one in the middle of the road!?

Week 29

September 2, 2013

Hey everyone!!! 

So this week was a little slower so I actually don't have a whole lot to share. Tuesday was a great day as I received 2 packages! One from the family! Thank you all so much :) I love the Panama City t-shirt and I loved the cards! haha Also I got one from Lexi, and that was amazing too! It made me a little trunkie for the night! haha Also on Tuesday I held my first English class! It was fun! We had about 7 people show up. They announced it yesterday at church so tomorrow there should be a whole lot more. We are just teaching basics, with different topics each week. Wednesday night we (the missionaries from Barrio Sarco) held an activity for the ward! It was simply a night of games for the ward to bond and have fun! It was an absolute blast!! We had about 40 people show up which isn't a whole lot for our ward but it was way fun!! I actually got sick that night and couldn't work the next day!! But, don't worry I'm all good now!! Work wise we are doing really well. We have a bunch of people coming to church and we have a bunch of dates for baptism. We prayed and talked for a while last night (my companion and I) and we decided that 3 baptisms was a great and reachable goal for the month of September. So that means we have to work hard! haha I know we can do it! Alrighty! that's all I got for y'all today! I cant wait to hear from everyone!!! I love you all!

Love Elder Berrett

Today both Rick and I missed Kyler while he was online.  

I felt so bad!!  Although, by the sounds of his letter, he seems to be doing really well!  

I can't believe that he is teaching English classes.

{I will have to tell his teacher, she will be so proud!!}

I can tell that he really loves the people in his ward and when it comes time for him to leave, it will not be easy! But, I am so happy that he has people around him that love him!!

Please pray for him and his companion and for those who they are teaching!  He would love to have a baptism.  They haven't had one in the area for a couple of years!

Until next week!

Week 28

August, 26,2013

Hola De Cocahabamba!! Como Estan??? Les Extrano muchismo! Puedo ver que todo esta bien en good ole Georgia!! 

{Hello from Cochabamba!  How are you?  I miss you all so much!

 I can see that all is well in good ole Georgia}

Sounds like everyone is doing well!!! Its great to see that Manning is back and playing!! and also that Carston has found his thing!! That's awesome! y'all need to get him into racing!! haha that would be amazing!!! Gosh it sounds like everything back home is picking up and flying! It seems like everyone is moving up in life so much. That's so awesome. I'm so excited for all of y'all! What a great time to be alive!! haha This was awesome!! We had Zone Conference with 4 other zones so i got to see a bunch of the guys from my group! it was awesome!  so big news......I'm in the Liahona!!!! hahha its from this month but its in a section that is only for South America! Its a picture of me and my district from the MTC talking about The Gift of Tongues!! We had a cool experience this week. We were knocking doors and we found an older mom. she told us that she has had troubles with her 19 year old son. So instead of sharing Lesson 1 i shared with her The story in Luke 15 about the Prodigal Son. She cried for an hour! We went back the next day and we met with her sons! Turns out that they've talked with missionaries before and want to hear from us!! We ended up committing them all to be baptized on the 14th of September. That's 6 people we have committed for that date! Please pray for these people! They are Violeta who is 16 and wants to be baptized! she also has permission! she just needs to attend church which she is next week! also Reber who is 19 and loves everything we have to teach. He is in the process of finding out for himself if its true. And also there is the family that I told y'all about. They are Marta, Jasmaney, Jimy, and Jimys wife Daniella!! I'm so excited!! Well that's all i can think of in the moment!! I hope all is well and that i can hear from y'all!! 

Love

Elder Berrett

Mom:

Hi! It is so good to be able to chat for a minute! Loved the pictures! It is so good to see pics of you.  I'm so happy to hear about the baptisms you have scheduled.  I hope and pray that they will be ready to receive His blessings!

How are you doing money wise? How are you getting along with your companion?  Is he becoming less shy?  What is his name so we can send him something?  Did you get our package?

Kyler:

Thanks so much! :) I haven't gotten any packages or letters in about 3 weeks! I'm good money wise! ill let y'all know next week!! Hes getting there!! We are working that! i just tell him that our message is a message of happiness so we NEED to smile and be happy!! His name is Hector Vaca.

Mom:

He looks very sweet in the pictures.  Did you get the picture I sent you from my missionary app?

{a picture of an app on my phone showing how long he has been gone!}

Dad:

Hey bud - it's Dad! I hope you got my email I sent this morning. Ican't stay on but just know I love you and am so proud. Your Spanish is awesome!! It is fast Sunday this week so we will have the family fast for your investigators.

Kyler:

Thanks so much Dad! i love and miss you! I think it's great your going back to school! go for it!! I love and miss you!!

Yeah, Mom!! That app is awesome!!! :) 

Mom:

I will take pictures this week of everyone and send to you.  I know I haven't been very good at that! Oh my gosh, I love seeing you!

Kyler:

Yeah I want pictures!!! haha

Mom:

You have been gone 194 days, can you believe it?

Kyler:

Only 194???!!!!! hahaha just kidding. Wow I didn't realize that!! that's crazy!!!! time flies!! 

Mom:

Did your companion help you write the first part of your letter or are you totally fluent?

Kyler:

haha no I wrote that!! 

Mom:

I had to ask dad what it said. (of course)  How much more time do you have?

Kyler:

haha none...I have to go...sorry :( I love you all!! Tell everyone I love and miss them!! Until next week!!

Mom:

I love you too! Like I've said a million times, you make me so proud! I'm so happy to know that you are enjoying your mission. I will continue to pray for you and your companion.  Continue to work hard and remember that you are loved and that you are constantly in the Lord's care.

I love you - Mom

Here are some of the pictures that he sent!  I was so happy to see him!  

{to me that's proof that he's doing okay}

American Food!!!!! So good!! Thank you Hermanas from the Zone!!

The Zone BBQ

Dance Festival with the Stake

And.......for Grandma......Llamas!!!! My first time seeing them here! there were so many up there!!  

It snowed in the mountains last night so we went to have fun this morning!! 

 

Elder Stoddard

My district

and Zone

Elder Vaca

 Zone Conference - Elder Stoddard

Week 27

August 19, 2013

Howdy everyone!!!! :)

Well this week was just great!!!! We did a whole lot of service which is always a great way to feel the spirit and feel good! We did a whole lot of yard work for some less active members that we found just by knocking their door! It was great!! They came to church yesterday and said that they really missed it. So we are going to continue to visit them and help them. My companion and I had 3 investigators at church yesterday so we were really excited about that! We currently have 4 people committed to a baptism date! We still have a lot of work to do with all of them but hopefully they can continue to progress and want to learn and know more.

We've been thinking of ways to find more investigators and help our members get involved also, so we decided, with two other companionship's that we are going to teach classes de ingles cada martes in la noche!!! {English classes on Tuesday evenings}  We started this week and had 5 people there!  It's pretty fun! They are making announcements about it at church and the people are telling us they want to come! We tell them to bring friends and people who might also be interested in the gospel too! So I"m excited to see how many we have tomorrow!! 

So I have an accomplishment that dad will be proud of! I can Moon walk!!! Elder Rojas break dances and he taught me!! haha I'm pretty excited about it!  Also, I'm kind of upset (lol) with all of you because I had to find out through a letter from Tahnee from almost 2 months ago that shes pregnant!!! How come nobody told me before!!!???? haha Well Congrats Tahnee, Taylor, and Ayden!!! Looks like we are going to have a little carrot top running around!!! hahah Gosh that's crazy that it will be 1 when I get home!! 

Well it sounds like everyone is adjusting to school pretty well! I cant believe its already the school year. That's awesome that Kayden is announcing for the softball team! I bet he's legit! Tell everyone to keep up the hard work!! Alrighty, that's all I can think of for now!!! If I forgot something I"ll let y'all know!! I love you all!! :)

Elder Berrett

Both Rick and I each sent him an email and were both waiting by the computer to chat with him.  Unfortunately, the server (on his end) is not working very well.  We experienced this a little last week, but today he was gone before the email even came through.  I hope that at least he got our emails and knows that we are thinking and praying for him.

If you haven't written him in a little while, I know he would love to hear from you!

Week 26

August 12, 2013

Hey Everyone!! 

I'ts great to hear how everyone is doing! Wow, school is starting back up, and Lexi's going to college. (I'm still not a big fan of that idea, especially since it's BYU. The other Elders from Utah don't like to give me much hope by telling me that within her first semester she'll be engaged, and married by next summer!) haha I hope they are wrong. I'm doing well here! This week was great work wise! We found 12 new investigators! We also finally started talking with Alejandra again and she told us she knows she should be baptized. So we set a date for the 31st!! We just have to talk with her mom this Wednesday!! I'm loving training! My son (companion) is doing well. He's so shy, its ridiculous. We knocked doors Saturday for about 6 hours. It went great! We taught 7 lessons but towards the end of the day I told him that the last 3 doors are all his. He had to do all the talking because earlier in the day he had only given his testimony in all those lessons. He got pretty dang nervous but he did okay! He talks way too fast and skips a lot of important details but I was proud of him. It was good practice. This week for companionship study, we are going to do a whole lot of practicing! haha But this week was good! We worked hard and we are following the rules with exactness! I can really see the difference as a missionary, what good that can do!  We were asked to join the ward choir.  Last night was our first practice! its really fun! They have me singing tenor which is a bunch of bull snot because I'm a freaking man!!!! hahaha but its whatever. Anyway that's all for now! I hope I can chat with ya'll!! I love you all!!

Elder Berrett

Mom:

I am so glad to finally get to chat with you today.  I was getting a little worried that maybe you would not get to chat today!  It sounds like last week went really well.  That makes me happy! And to know that you are enjoying training! 

  

So you joined the ward choir, huh?  The one time I sang in the ward choir, I too was a tenor!  (this is mom, not dad by the way!) :) And yes, you are still a freaking man!!!

Kyler:

haha yeah I know it will work out! So hows everyone doing?? 
 

Mom:

Dad just texted me to let me know that he won't be logging on today.  (he's busy at work)  But he did want me to tell you a few things...

Please tell him how proud I am. Tell him how much I think about him and pray for him. Tell him to have patience with his new companion. A new missionaries first companion can set the whole tone for his missionary experience. Even though he knows the language, I can promise you he's nervous. Just remember how you felt your first month. Love you bud! Do great things!!

Kyler:

ahhh Thanks dad! I love and miss you!! So how is everyone?

Mom:

I think we are having problems with the server again...cause it is taking forever to get your emails!  How are you doing?

Kyler:

Yeah I think we are. dang....this sucks. 

Mom:

Kayden is in charge of Adams Army this year.  They are having a meeting right now in the chorus room.  He just told them that they will not tolerate drinking at all.  If he (or others) smell it, they will turn them into 

Dr. Bitterman!  I though that was pretty cool!

Kyler:

HAHA That's awesome!! Tell him I'm proud of him, and that I love him and that he's stud!!! hahahah :) 

Mom:

We are all going good! Kayden says hi and that he misses you and that he is taking after your leadership ways with Adams Army and when you get back you two are going to play golf everyday!

Kyler:

haha Tell him I'm ready!! But we'll have to wait till he gets back because he'll be on his mission!!!

Kayden:

Haha it's Kaybee!! I'm not going on my mission until I'm 19 so I can see you for a few months! And we can hang out!!

Kyler:

hahaha Kaybee!!! whats up big dog!! I miss you man!! I'm down with that as long as you promise you'll go!!

Kayden:

Nothing much, I miss you like crazy!! And I am wanting to go a lot more now!! Sorry I haven't written you in a while! I mean to but every Sunday comes around and I forget! I'm sorry! But I will sometime this week! But yeah we need to play a lot! I'm starting to do what you did before you left! I'm playing a lot and loving it!

Kyler:

Yeah we will!! Who do you play with?? But don't worry about it, I understand. It's hard to write! haha

Kayden:

Okay sweet! And I've played with Pete, but for the most part me and Dad have gone a lot! He's teaching me as we play! And I will get better at that!

Kyler:

Sweet! I want to play so bad!! I'm gonna suck when I get home!! haha oh well!! So hows being a senior and all??

Kayden:

Haha, you won't be that bad!! It's crazy, it doesn't feel real at all.  I took the phone from mom, and she says she misses you and loves you! She Is going to take a nap! But dang, you've been gone about 6 months.

Kyler:

Yeah tell her I love and miss her!! yeah 6 months tomorrow!!! It's flying by!! 

Kayden:

That is crazy!! Already a fourth of the way done!!

Kyler:

yeah boiii!!!! then ill be der!!!!! I cant wait!!!!  Hey man have to go...I love and miss you so much. Keep up the good work with everything. Stay strong and stay true to the Gospel. I promise God has an amazing plan for you. Put the Gospel and school first and everything will fall into place. I love you so much bro. Please tell Berk, Manning, and Carston that I love and miss them so much. I pray for you all everyday. I'm doing well here spreading the Gospel and feeling the spirit everyday. Love you man. Get us a tee time for a year and a half from now! 

Kayden:

I love you so much and miss you so much! You are an inspiration to me! I am doing a lot more church stuff to get ready! You are a huge inspiration and I love you for that!! Thanks man! Good luck, and I'll write you this week!' Talk to you later best friend!