Week 72

June 30, 2014

Hey peeps,

Well I'm so tired. I'm always tired now. I was tired before but lately I've been tired on a whole different level. I think as Berrett's we have a sleepy syndrome because I've been waking up at 630 for almost 17 months now and no matter how much I do it, and no matter how early I go to bed it's still to this day soooooo hard for me to do. I'm jealous of the guys that automatically wake up at 630 without an alarm. I don't understand. I'm always so tired. I hate it but its a good feeling at the end of the day knowing I fought through it. haha

Tuesday was a typical zone leader day. We were in the city early in the morning to pay for some medicine for some elders that went allllllll the way to the city to go to the doctor, without money. So we get a call at 8 in the morning asking if we can come and pay for their medicine.........so fun! We then went to our district meeting, where my comp and I gave a pep talk to the zone. We were doing so well as a zone due to the competition that was going on and last Sunday night the competition ended.  So we just told them that there is no reason to stop working hard, and that now it's simply a competition against Satan. Last night when we got their numbers we were super proud and happy, because they are working like it's still a competition! So good for them! 

Wednesday was awesome!!! We had our last conference with President Dyer. At the conferences we have to get up in front of all the zones and announce our numbers for the month and explain how the zone is doing. After we did that, president announced who won the Golden Zone Award. It was really intense and exciting moment!!! But.......WE WON. Zona Sacaba is the best Zone in the Bolivia Cochabamba mission!! We got a cool pin I'll show y'all later. The zone was so happy. They are pretty proud! haha Me too! I'm proud of them!! :) haha

I loved President and Sister Dyers last words to us. Two topics I didn't see coming, President said no matter what we do in life, just pay our tithing. It is so true. If you're paying tithing, nothing can go wrong because your have the Lords promise that he'll pour out his blessings. So much we won't even have room to receive it. And Sister Dyers last words to us were very interesting, but she gave us the 13 tips to finding our future eternal companions! hahaha Wow!! You talk about a funny but insanely awesome talk! We were told to write them down then put that paper away and not look at it til the end of the mission. haha I'd love to share that list but it is in my house. But it was actually great advice that I'll be willing to follow! 

As far as the work goes, we had a normal week. Sandra is getting baptized the 26th of July, so be praying for her. She's nervous but really wants to do it. I love you all. I love this work! I do/don't like to think about going home in December. But for now I'm trying not to think of it. Y'all are awesome! Have a wonderful week!!! 

Love

Elder Berrett

Today we went to the Christ statue! It was nice but super tiring!

The Sisters photo bombing!

The Golden Zone chilin with Jesus!

Sup bro?

Our last picture with Presidente Dyer and Sis Dyer.

This cute little girl got baptized last week!! She's my #1 English student!! She was a baptism from the other Elders but I told her I wouldn't miss her baptism for the world! She's so cute its not even funny!

Golden Zone pin. Zona De Oro 

PS - Golden is my middle name.

Word!

Eating lunch with members on Saturday.

Saturday night we didn't have dinner so we cooked ourselves!! Hamburgers!!!!!!!!!! 

Week 71

June 23, 2014

GOOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! 

I'm loving the mission life but at the same time I'm loving the hype of the World Cup!!!! We literally can't escape the games. If we walk into a members house they tell us we can come in and eat but they refuse to turn the TV off. It's pretty funny but to be honest I'm okay with it! Its actually a mission rule that we aren't allowed to ask people to turn stuff off.

Anyways, this week flew by!! A lot of good things are happening here in Sacaba!! I'm super excited! Tuesday we didn't get a whole lot done because I had to take my comp to his new comp and I had to wait a few hours in the airport for mine to arrive from Sucre. So I was there for a good bit, but it was fun. Elder Kenney and I spent 10 bolivianos in the massage chairs (it's 1 boliviano per turn) so I enjoyed that. Once I got my comp we took him to the house, dropped his stuff off and I took him to show him the area and introduce him to a few investigators. His name is Elder Nicho from Peru. He's so awesome!! I love the dude! He's so spiritual and works hard. I'm so happy to be with him.

Thursday we were in the city all day because my companion had to do his legal documents and stuff. They randomly call different missionaries to go update or renew their documents. Next month I'll be illegal because my Bolivian ID expires, so I'll have to go do that. After that we had to be in the offices to do the zone's finances. We did end the day with a great lesson with Sandra. She loves the church and people. She wants to get baptized but is just scared for the temptations after, but she's going to do it. We promised her that she would over come those, thanks to Jesus Christ and the atonement and the holy ghost guiding her. She only didn't like that we set a date for her. She wants to choose. So we let her pray and think about it and the next day she called and chose the 26th of July.  A little far but we were okay with it because we are sure she will complete it. 

Friday we had a zone meeting so we could make some announcements and meet all the new members of the zone since we had transfers. I'm honestly so excited about the zone. We have so many missionaries that are willing to work so hard and sacrifice everything and that makes my life easier and makes our success a whole lot easier! 

Yesterday we had 6 investigators at church. We were excited for that.  After church my comp and I went to contact a family that I  found in the street a few weeks back. They are going through hard times as their father died 7 months ago. It's a mother and her 4 children. The oldest in Jimena.  She is 13. She's really sick and hasn't been to school for 4 months. I don't remember what you call the disease that she has, but her nerves are really weak and her bones as well. She's so cute and just wants the best for her family. We taught them the plan of salvation and they were asking so many questions and were so happy that they can see their dad again. They asked if he will be able to repent and enter Gods Kingdom. (he died while he was drunk). We explained the spirit world and that amazing stuff and she began to cry. We are going to be praying and working hard with this family. Jimena ended with the prayer and she didn't say one thing about her health, she just asked that her family can be blessed and that they could one day have a house of their own as they are living in a very humble room they are renting. My companion and I were bawling when we said amen and we lifted our heads up. That was a moment I'll never forget as long as I live. We are so lucky to live were we live and to have the people we live with. I know for a fact that families are eternal. They are the most important thing we can have, that's why God is willing to let them last forever. I know these things are true. I'm so happy to be where I am. My life is changing here. Experiences like this just make me want to be happy. I truly don't care as much about the material things anymore. Those don't last but our families do, and that I'm sure of.

I love you all so much. This church is 100% true. I'm so grateful to be here. I'm sad its slowly but surely coming to an end. I feel like there is still so much to learn and so many people to meet. I love Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for his sacrifice for us. I don't deserve it, but I'll take it. Everyone have a great week and I cant wait to hear your updates next week! 

Love

Elder Berrett

Week 70

June 16, 2014

What's up!?

Well, let me first start off with a USA USA USA!!!!! Wow I'm in the country with the worst soccer team alive and there is still a World Cup fever here like no other!!!! We can't pass a store or house that doesn't have the world cup on! I bought a USA jersey today and I'm reppin it now. I'll send the pics I have. Good thing I have an appointment today at 6 right when they play because it would be a great temptation for me to sit down watch it. 

This week was sooooooooo crazy. I felt so overwhelmed with things to do and people to please haha. Monday was fun. We went and played paintball with the zone.  We had a blast. I have some pictures with my bff Elder Weekes. haha

Tuesday we had our district meeting and after we went and helped the sisters move out of their house and into their new one. I think I told y'all about their house situation last week. After that we had to go to the offices to do the zone finances. So our day was basically taken up by those two things! 

So the mission is doing this competition to see what zone can gain the most new investigators, people committed to baptism, and people baptized in two weeks, last week and this week. And last night when we reported the numbers we (ZONA SACABA) were in FIRST!!!!!! What's up!!?? And we have a smaller zone! We get the title of the golden zone, a pin for the jacket that says "the golden zone" and a wallet that say's Mission Bolivia Cochabamba! So this week we are working hard! We had four baptism as a zone, 73 people committed to baptism and 107 new ones!!!!! So this week we have to do the same!! My comp and I had a baptism, 8 people committed and 25 new! So we actually had a good bit of time to work!! If we didn't have an appointment, we were knocking doors like mad men. It was actually pretty fun. 

So, Friday morning we get a call from Rubens who was to get baptized on Saturday. I answer the phone and he tells me he can't get baptized. So we went to his house to find out why. After 2 hours of conversing, sharing scriptures, and praying he decided he was going to do it. He just had the typical nerves that everyone has before baptism. He was scared to let God down. He thought we are expected to be perfect. We helped him understand what he had to do and he agreed! We had a great baptism the next day! I'll send the pics.

Well, the mission is amazing. I love it and to be honest I'm not ready for it to end. I want to enjoy these next six months and take it all in. I love how much I've grown and how much more converted to the gospel I am. I'm not perfect by any means, but I know I'm better than before and I guess that's one of the reasons I'm here right!? haha We had changes last night, unfortunately my comp is changing :( I'm pretty sad. I've loved my time with him but now I'm going to be with Elder Nicho from Peru. I love him! He's the man. So I'm looking forward to that!! Well I'm officially on the last 6 months. It's sad to me.  I have no understanding of time. Everyone have a great week! I love you all, i love this work, i love this church, i love the gospel, and i love Jesus Christ. I've learned when i just focus every lesson teach on him everything turns out well. 

Until next week!

Elder Berrett

USA USA USA!!!

Me and my comp!!

Playing soccer this morning.

Rubens baptism!!! :) 

The place was packed. Here are some of the people there. hahaha

Me, Ruben and my companion.

Me and Ruben 

Me and Elder Weekes.

Me and Weekes after the freezing water!

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