Well this week has definitely been one for the history
books.
So as many of you are most likely aware, it was conference
week!!! A time where the prophet, the first presidency, the quorum of the 12
Apostles, and other leaders of our church speak to us. While I have experienced
this my whole life, there is something miraculous about listening to it as a
missionary and with personal and investigators questions in mind. I don't know
about you all, but this was an amazing conference.
One of my favourite talks was given by Elder Randal K.
Bennett. In his talk he talks how important it is to remember that we are
never alone! That we never have to rely on our strength alone but we have that
of the Savior's to rely on. My other favourite point that he made was that we
were created that we might have JOY! God has a perfect plan for us so that we
might have that ultimate joy with Him again. And that while it may seem near impossible
at the time to overcome things or even be happy in the moment, as we put forth
our own efforts God will more than match our efforts and show us His
love.
My other favourite talk was by Elder Uchtdorf funny enough
during the women's conference. It was the quote "Now is a part of
eternity" We can have Joy now! We can experience the joys of eternity now!
So kind of a fun thing happened this week. It snowed. It is
literally an entirely different world. Elder Hendricks and I woke up Saturday
morning to a (I would say blanket, but there was nothing warm or comforting
about it) sheet of snow. It was everywhere. Even in the half rain half snow
that was coming down was white. Thankfully while I was nowhere near prepared
for this, there are kind, glorious elders out there who left a closet full of
extra coats and gloves. So while I may have looked silly with all sorts of
mismatching items, I was at least able to bike these last few days and not be
too cold. Unfortunately however apparently this isn't even anything to what it
will be like in January or even later this month. While I dread the thought of
such a thing I can now testify of how amazing hot cocoa is at the end of the
day. Imagine this glorious sight if you will: Coming in from the bitter,
deathly wasteland of a place and taking off your coat. Then you grab a blanket
and a cup of hot caramel hot cocoa and curl up next to the near celestial heater
and drink this glorious nectar while planning for the next day. Why anyone would
want a "white" (deathly, cold, bitter, wasteland-like) Christmas is
beyond me.
All of that aside though this week actually has been
really fantastic! We were even able to put an investigator on date! Another
blessing that Elder Hendricks and I got is that we were able to put a smile on
so many faces this week. This Monday we made it our goal to make everyone we
talk to smile and it has been fantastic, even as they try to slam the door in
our face we are able to feel God's love for them and help them to have a better
day :) I know that as we strive to love those that we teach and meet that we
will continue to see blessings come from that.
Did I tell you
guys about our less active members Charlene and Robert that we are teaching? So in order to go
to the temple they need to actually be civilly married and they want one of us,
not the bishop, to perform the ceremony! I don't even know what to do! I'm 18!
We are currently working with the mission president to figure things out but
it's insane. They want to be married by the end of the week.
I love you all and absolutely love this work! while it is
cold and hard, I would NEVER give this up. It is such a blessing to see people
change as they accept the gospel into their lives or even come to realize that
yes, Christ's church HAS been restored to the earth today. Thank you all for all
of your support and I love you all!
Never Give up, Never Surrender!
-Elder Berrett
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