August 27, 2011

Hi Family!

¿Està listo para regresar a casa? That would be are you ready to come home? Good job on the Spanish though mom :D

Wow family, I never thought that this time would come... The last time that I will be writing to you from Peru. This week with elder Anderson was great! I sang in the choir. I sang the base part. It was pretty hard but I loved it. We sang "Joseph Smiths first prayer" Sister Manning had us do some way cool things with it. It was awesome! That was a really good experience.

Last night I had to say goodbye to my companions Elder Hesselgesser and Elder Hola. They went to Ayacucho with President last night at about 4 in the morning. I'm going to miss them a ton! They are great elders and some of my best friends.

While I was listening to Elder Anderson I had the realization that I wouldn`t ever be with a group of missionaries that big as a missionary again. It brought tears to my eyes that this part of my life is coming to an end. I had my final interview with President last night. What a great experience it was for me. I love President Manning and Sister Manning a ton. They have helped me overcome so many difficulties in my mission. I'm so thankful for them.

I know that this is not the end of my mission it's just the next part. I won't be able to work as I am right now, but once a missionary always a missionary. There will be so many opportunities to share the Gospel. Now I will just be in a different role. I know this church is true. I wouldn't trade my mission for anything! It's the best thing that I have ever done in my life. I have lots of shortcomings and problems but I try hard and that's what the lord wants. I am coming to understand the atonement a little bit more. It was explained to me that we will never understand the atonement fully, because the atonement is infinite and we are finite beings. As finite beings we can't understand something that is infinite. We can understand a sense of peace and a sense of guilt therefore knowing when we need to repent. I have come to understand this a little better and I'm so thankful for it. It's the greatest thing that I feel that I have learned on my mission. I'm so thankful for everything that I have experienced on the mission.

It hasn`t been easy, that's for sure. But I would not trade it for anything! I have come to love so many people. I have had so many experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything. Thanks family for everything! I love you all so much! Thanks for all of your support and love through it all. I will see you all very soon! And no I haven`t been trunky mom :D! I love you thanks!

Love Elder B

August 20, 2011

Hi family

Wow have I had one great week! Well in this week we were in Chincha

and Cañete! It was great! While I was in Chincha we were walking

around a corner just trying to find some people to teach, because all

of the appointments had fallen through, and we came upon a family

moving a mountain of bricks to build their house. I offered to help

them and we got to work. In about 45 minutes we had contacted the

family and moved about a thousand bricks from the outside to the

inside. It was a really good experience. The family is great. Their

house fell down when there was an earthquake in 2007 and they are just

barely starting to rebuild. I hope that they accept the gospel.

Then the highlight of the week!!! I went to Mala la Buena again! For the

last time I was able to visit. I had a great experience! We taught

lots of new people and to end the day I was able to visit Arevalo

Villalobos! Wow! I saw him and it was just like seeing an old friend

again. I was so happy to see him. I saw him and his two daughters that

have also been baptized. I love that family. The best thing ever is

that they will be going to the temple on the 10th of September. I'm

going to miss it by a little but it doesn't matter to me. All that

matters is that they go and they´re going worthily. That family makes

my entire mission worth it. Not to mention all the other blessings

that I have received. I love this work and I'm going to miss it. But I

have a list of a lot of people to visit when I get home as well. I have

learned something... being a missionary isn't just for two years, its

for life. It doesn't start when your 19 or 20 its a whole life thing.

I want to keep this in practice for my whole life. I have to live the

example so that they recognize the importance of the gospel.

Well family, I don't have much time left to write but I love you a ton! I

think that I will be writing again on Saturday. On Wednesday we have

Elder Anderson visiting. I get to sing in the choir! Its going to be

fun. I love the mission. There are so many life changing experiences

that happen. On Friday night I will have my last interview with

President Manning. I'm sad about it, but I know that there is something else

for me to do. Thanks family for everything. I love you!

Love Elder Bearnson

August 15, 2011

Hi Family!

Wow sounds like you are all having quite the time! This has been quite the week for me and my companion! On Monday we went to Nazca. It's the most southern part of the mission and it's in the middle of the desert. It took about 8 hours on a bus to get there. That night I stayed with Elder Cook and Elder Iturralde. The next day we went to a place called Marcona. It's a small mining town about an hour from Nazca. The town looks kinda like a concentration camp... it's all housing that is built by the mine for the miners and their families. All the houses are the same and they are painted the same. It's just big block housing. I was with Elder Rojas and Elder Thompson. That was a really good experience.

Then the next day we went back to Nazca and I spent the day with Elder Martinez and Elder Inuma. They are great zone leaders and are doing wonders for Nazca. That night we went about three hours in a bus north to a place called Ica. We had a multi-zone conference with Nazca, Ica and Pisco. President met up with us there and we watched a video from Elder Holland that was great. I had seen it before with President but this was the first time that the whole mission was going to be able to see it. After the conference I went with Elder Housely and Elder Coico. That was a great day. The next day I was with the zone leaders Elder Jara and Elder Martinez (a different Martinez). Then Saturday I went with Elder Lutin and Elder Romero in Pisco. Yesterday I went with Elder Tellez and Elder Delgado.

It has been a long but very good week. I have really liked being able to be with all the missionaries. I'm really, really tired but we are going to sleep today! It's our preparation day! I have met so many people in this week that are just down right wonderful people. I love the Peruvian people, they really are great. They are quirky and funny but they are good people. I love the mission. We didn't go home like we had planned to on Saturday. We changed the plan and we got a couple of more visits in. It was good. We will be getting home on Saturday morning. I'm going to get to visit Mala this week! YES! I love Mala! Someday I'm going to bring you all here.

It has been a great blessing to extend my mission and be here for a little while longer. The visits are helping me to stay focused on what I'm here to do. I love it! On the 24th this month Elder Anderson from the twelve will be here to speak to us and two other missions. It's going to be a great experience. Family, I love you so much! Thanks for everything that you do for me and every other good thing that you do for people. Wow mom I'm pretty excited that the people from dads office will be there to hear me speak. I'm going to need to receive lots of revelation to be able to say the right words. Do you know what my topic is? or how does that work .

Family I love you! Thanks for everything. I think I'll be writing again on Saturday. Thanks Fam I love you!

Elder Bearnson

August 6, 2011

Hey Fam!

Sounds like everything is going well at home! Sounds like Zach has gotten into things. Is he doing sports this year?

I love the mission. I love working here. We just got done with change week. It was pretty crazy as always. This is how it goes more or less. We finished the changes with President on Friday night. On Saturday my companion and I made all of the plans that the elders need to travel. There were about 50 missionaries moving places this change. We have to coordinate all of their movements and make sure that they get to where they need to be. That takes a while. Then on Saturday we call everyone and we announce their changes and what they need to do. On Sunday we go to church and then all of the elders that are going to Ayacucho get here in the night. Then they leave so that they can make it to Ayacucho by the morning. They go all night on a bus. Then in the morning we go to a Capilla that's pretty central and everyone comes... then we send them off to buses or with their new companion or whatever it is that they need to do. Then when they leave we go to the office. All the elders from the south that are coming, get here later in the afternoon and then we send them off to where they need to go. Its like a big game. Then on Tuesday we go to the MTC really early in the morning to pick up the new missionaries. I love that!! It's fun to ride in the bus with them. Then we get here to the office and we do A LOT of training with them and then we get them their new companions and they`re off to work! We have a day of peace on Wednesday but we are getting ready for Thursday when we have the zone leader council. All the zone leaders from the mission come and we get together and we do lots of stuff for a few hours. Then we just get to work from Friday till the end of the week getting ready for the rest of the change. On top of this, last Sunday we had to make an emergency visit to the hospital for a sister that had a really bad panic attack and so I got home at about 2 or 230 in the morning. Its kinda crazy. I didn't get to sleep that much this week, haha!!

On top of the stuff that we were doing for the changes I had to do the stuff with the group that was going home. Like the family home evening with President and his family and our group pics. I'm going home later and alone so I did all of it with them. It was kind a bad because they talked about marriage and stuff....... I can't think about that yet ha! Oh yea we have a new companion! I don't know if I told you about an Elder Hesselgesser. He`s from Washington but went to BYU Hawaii. He is the coolest!! He has less than a year and now we are in a threesome with Elder Hola. I was his first zone leader in San Gabriel. He and I are going to visit the South this week. We are going to Nazca then Ica then Pisco this week without coming home until Saturday. It's going to be a long but very gratifying week! Next week we will visit Chincha and Cañete the next week. Sweet! The last week that I'm here Elder Anderson from the quorum of the twelve will be here to talk to three missions. That is going to be cool!

Well family I love you a ton! Thanks for all that you do!

Love elder B

July 29, 2011

Hello family!

Well thanks for writing to me fam! I know it's kind of hard because I don't write very consistently but your letters really do help me a lot. Thanks for everything that you do for me. Ok so on Monday night my companion and I got on a bus and we went to Ayacucho. We got on a bus at 9 at night and we got there at about 7 in the morning. That wasn't fun. I slept until about midnight or so then I tossed and turned until we got there. We had an awesome interchange for two days then we came home last night on the same bus with the same story. Today we have been with President for about 6 hours to do changes. It's really fun and we receive lots of inspiration that is really humbling to receive. The Lord really helps us to do what he wants when we are doing the changes. I love this job and the things that I'm learning from it. I love President Manning! He has been one of the most influential people in my life, apart from my family.

Well family I don't have much time so I´ll have to continue later. Thanks for everything! I love you family! You're the best! I love you tons!

Here we are, all the office guys. There is Elder Jones the red head, he's from Texas and the Presidents' secretary. Then my companion from Logan, Elder Hola! He's the best! Then Elder Ibarra, he's from chile! He's awesome at soccer. He could have been professional but he didn't want to play on Sundays. Awesome!
Love Elder B

--

July 22, 2011

Hey family!

Mom, I really couldn´t believe that note that you sent me about Doctor Alex. What a tragedy. Send him my sympathies as well. We are so blessed to know about the plan of salvation. We need to share that information with everyone. I don't know how people can make it through the deaths of their loved ones without the knowledge of the plan of salvation. Just knowing that we can be together forever and that this life is just a pit stop in our eternal progression is such a blessing. We need to share it with everyone.

Well this week has been pretty fun. My companion and I went to Nazca and Ica this week from Monday until yesterday. It was a lot of fun. We did some good work with the missionaries. I really like being able to help everyone out. I like getting to know all of their investigators and helping them out. We haven´t been in our area for a while because we have been traveling. That's the hardest part about being here, we have to leave our investigators for a while and we don't get the chance to visit them much.

Today we are going to work on changes with President for the upcoming week. It's kinda weird because we are sending home my group from the MTC. I'm going to be the missionary with the most time in the mission... Something pretty cool, Elder Tombs is going home a few days early because his brother is leaving for his mission on Wednesday and if he doesn't go home early he won't see his brother for a very long time. I'm really thankful for the opportunity to extend and keep working in the mission. I feel like you do mom, I'm not sure if I want it to end. In fact I don't want to talk about that...

We have an investigator named Oscar. He is awesome. He has a rough family and life but really wants to change and be happy. He is a reference from Hermana Lourdes who just got baptized a little while ago. References are the best thing that a missionary can get! It's hard to find people on your own and even harder to get them to progress when they aren't a reference. I'm so thankful for members that give references! Hermano Oscar has come to some activites at church and the members really helped him feel at home. He wants to come to church this week and we are hoping to put him with a baptismal date this week. He's a keeper!

I sent you some pics. I sent the one with the buildings trying to show those huge sand dunes in the background. This place is really a desert. And yes that is a chickens foot in my mouth! It tastes gross, like fat and skin. Also that pic is of a bunch of peoples houses up at the very back of Nazca. That's how all cities start out, with a bunch of peole making their houses out of sticks. then give them 10 or 20 years and it's a big city. Well family I love you guys a ton! Thanks for your help! I love you all a ton! Thanks for your letters. Just write me whenever, I'm sorry that my schedule is crazy and that I can't write on the same day every week. Love you family!

Love Elder B

July 16, 2011

Howdy Doo family!

Well family I have had a really great week! I love working in this position! It's really fun to visit the elders and see how they are doing. So I have to tell you a story. My companion and I were planning on visiting the zone leaders in Cañete this last week. A few days before, I had a dream. In that dream I was talking with President Manning. He asked me where we were going to go visit on our trip´and I told him Cañete. He then looked at me with a disappointed face and said "I thought that you were going to go to Pisco. I really think that you should go to Pisco." And then he kept saying it over and over again. Well I woke up and asked my companion if he had had a similar dream he said that no he hadn´t had any dreams. Well I tried to shrug it off but I couldn´t help but think that it actually meant something. So on the ride down there with President I shared that dream with him. He said "Honestly, when you told me that you were going to go to Cañete, the first thing that came to mind was why don't you go to Pisco." I said "Well I guess we are going to Pisco then President!" And so we did! That is the second time that I have had a dream on the mission that was meant for something. I'm glad I listened. It turned out to be a really good visit to Pisco, they needed some help and we were able to help them out. We got to see Elder Martin, the one that you asked me about mom.

Well we are teaching the coolest guy. His name is José Inocente Carhuanambo Ramirez. His great niece is a recent convert. He is 97 years old! We have to write everything down when we teach him. He can hear but you have to yell right in his ear haha!! He's the best! We write things down then he reads them and then we try to listen really hard to his answer. He has dentures on the top but... he doesn't have denture glue so his teeth move around when he talks haha! So sometimes its kinda hard to understand what he is saying. He is so cool though. We have been talking to him about baptism a lot. I asked him if he had been baptized like Christ had been baptized. He said "Well I dunno. They baptized me a loooong time ago! I don't remember". I told him that he needed to be baptized like Christ had been baptized and showed him a picture of Christ being baptized. He said "Well were can I be baptized like Christ?" I said " Well in the true Church of Christ" His answer was "Ok ! Where is it?" He is awesome! We just need to keep teaching him and help him understand the commandments and how to keep them. He´s going to do great!

My companion and I are looking for new people to teach and we have been looking at the old teaching records. We found this lady and her two young daughters. We got there and her uncle that is an inactive member was there! So we went in and shared something with them for just a few minutes. One of the first things that they said to us was "Oh my girls want to get baptized Elders! Almost all of my family except for me and my girls are members!" We will be working our tails off with this family to help them do what they need to to get baptized! I'm so excited for them! I'm super excited! If we have faith in the Lord and we do what we are supposed to the Lord will provide the people that he has been preparing. I know its true! I have seen it too many times to deny it!

Well family I sure do love you a lot! I'm so glad that you all had a blast in Star Valley for the 4th! Sounds like grandma's house was chuck full! You have to send me pics of the sockey teams please! Let me see some of those new babies! There are so many new family members to get to know! OK OK!! No one freak out about BYU please! I'm not sure. It was just an option. I still love USU too. I have a lot of decision making to do when I get home. I sure do love you a lot family! Thanks for everything that you do.


Love Elder B

July 8, 2011

Hey family!

Well I sure hope that you are all having quite the week! I hope your time in Star Valley has been great. My time here in Peru is the best. I love the crazy world here with all the people and all the noise. The people are so great. I have had several fun experiences this week. We had a multi-zone activity in my old zone Villa el Salvador. We had a lot of fun playing soccer, volleyball and dodge ball with about 50 missionaries. President brought the grill and made all of us hot dogs. Sister Manning made us some way good brownies. They looked a lot like Bear Lake mud cake! It was good!!!

My companion and I are struggling a little in our area. We don't know it very well and we have little time to be there. We baptized the majority of our investigators because we don't always have time to look for new ones but we are finding some really good new people. The Lord provides! Yesterday we had a zone leader council. That's when all the zone leaders come in and we have a few hours to talk about a lot of things that are happening in the mission. We have 246 people with a baptismal date in the mission as of last Sunday! All of them are for the month of July. That number will have risen this week! We are doing great as a mission! We are getting so much better every month. I'm so proud of all that they are doing! We have an investigator with a date his name is Ronald. He is a good kid and we are helping him to make it to church so that he can progress. Please pray for him.

I'm sending some pics because I haven't been able to send any for a long time. I still don't have the pics from Sister Giovana or Sister Lourdes. I'll have to get them from our ward mission leader. I'll have to send those next week. I'm sending some from my visit to Ayacucho. I took some from the plane. I'm not sure that I was supposed to do that but i did! The other one is Elder Cahui and I in the hotel in Chincha. I'm going to send you some pics next week of our room that we lived in and where we live now. It's pretty crazy!

Well family I sure love you a lot! Thanks for all that you do! Don't forget to send me pics of your fun in SVR!! I love you fam! Thanks for your prayers!

June 26, 2011

Hey familia!

First off, I'm really sorry that I'm not very good about writing. It's kinda hard to schedule my time. I have had lots of really cool things happen to me this week. First off, I have a new companion! He is the coolest! His name is Elder Hola! But you have to pronounce the H. He is from Logan! He lived about 5 minutes from Presidente Manning's house haha!! He's a great companion. He even has been to Star Valley!!! His Uncle's family has a cabin up there! It's crazy! We have tons of things in common! I love this guy. We have such awesome unity in everything that we do. He came on Sunday night, then we had changes on Monday morning. They were pretty rocky, but we got them done. Later that day we had the training of the new trainers. I always find that ironic because I have never been a trainer and I have to train them... ha. Then on Tuesday morning we went to pick up the new missionaries at the CCM (MTC). That's one of my favorite parts about this job. So that same day we trained all of the new missionaries. I love their spirits. They are just so excited and full of life. They are so excited about getting into the field but also a little bit scared.

On Wednesday we had to plan a training meeting on Thursday for all the district leaders. That was kinda fun. To answer your question mom, Presidente usually meets with us and tells us what it is that he would like to see in the meeting, then we go and make an agenda with all the stuff that he wants. We send it to him for revision and we make the necessary changes. We plan it all with his guidance, but we help him teach everything. Very rarely does he want to teach something alone. We participate a lot. President, my companion and I, we pretty much give it the three way punch with everything we do. It can be stressful but I really like doing it.

Something made me feel good the other day. We were looking at Presidente's board with all the missionaries there. On all the cards president puts different colored stickers to help him remember things, like pink means they are going to have a change, green they are new Etc... I was explaining that to my companion and I said blue means that they are going home soon, like the one on my card... I didn't really mean to say that, it was just the first one that I saw. Sister Manning was there and she kinda hit me and said, "We we´re going to take that sticker off! Then President said you could leave but then just keep showing up and we wouldn't say anything." I thought that was kinda funny. I'm trying to get the most out of these last few months.

My companion and I set someone else with a date this week! His name is Ronald. We taught him a few times with Elder Cahui but now he has a baptismal date for the 30th of July. His sister is also amazing and has been coming to church for a really long time and wants to get baptized but her mom won't let her. Maybe if her older brother gets baptized she will let Ana Lucia do it to. We are really working hard with them.

I had a neat experience this last week as well with president. There was a sick sister here in the office. He called me over and asked me to give her a blessing with him. He asked me to annoint her and then he gave her a blessing. It was a great experience for me. I think that's the first time that I have given a blessing with Presidente. I really appreciated that experience.

I am liking this job a lot. It's really hard and stressful but I really do love it. I'm learning a lot and I'm developing so many skills that will be useful to me forever. I love this church, because I know that it's from God and that it's his church.

Please take care family! I love you all a ton!

Love Elder B


Ha that halo story is awesome! Man I'm going to miss you all on the 4th! Can't believe it's my last one. Mom can I buy a guitar? With President Mannning's blessing!

June 16, 2011

Hey family!

Wow am I busy! I'm really sorry that I haven't been writing much. Sometimes it's kinda hard to find time. I don't really get a P-day. We take time when we get it! Sometimes we get to go out and do stuff but not often. We usually only have time to clean our room and go to the grocery store ¡Fun! When we do get a p-day it's just a random day usually.

Last week we were in Nazca! It was pretty fun. That's where they have the Nazca lines. If you're not sure what that is you could look up Nazca lines on google and you´ll probably recognize it. We didn't get to do any sight seeing or anything like that but it was fun just to be there.

Well, I didn't get to go to the sealing of Iber and Chabela... Because i was in Nazca. I had to be there for a conference. That was a real bummer, but the Whitney's told me that it went really well. I was really happy about that. I think that Arevalo and Sara are going to the temple the 8th of July! I'm stoked!

Ok here in our area, Surquillo, we have two surprises!!! We went to visit an old investigator named Giovana that they had been visiting a couple months ago. We talked with her and she said "so when do you guys think that I can get baptized?" We sat there with our mouths open for a few seconds. Then she said "I would really like to get baptized on the 20th if that's ok?" Well that was the first time that I had to tell an investigator that we needed to go home and think about it and see if her baptismal date was too soon... We decided after praying about it that it's just fine! She is an awesome person, she already has been living the commandments and she has gone to church before. She will be getting baptized this Monday! She has been one of THE most prepared people that I have ever met on my mission. She is incredible! She is the head of the marketing department for the biggest newspaper in Peru. She runs a team of about 230 people. She's busy, but she makes time for us and she turns off the phone and all interruptions to listen. It's been pretty amazing.

The other surprise! Hermana Lourdes! She has been the opposite of Hermana Giovana. They had been teaching her for 3 months before I got here, so now we have been teaching her for about 4 1/2 months. I asked her the other day "how do you feel about baptism?" We were feeling a little frustrated with her because we didn't know what to teach. She knows everything and just didn't feel ready. But she said "well I finally feel prepared." We just about fell off our seats! She wants to get baptized on Sunday I think. So we went from not having anyone with a date to having two people in the same week. That's what you call a miracle! Even though we aren't in our area very much and we don't have the same game-plan as other missionaries, the Lord still provides us with prepared people.

This week we are really busy. This week changes are coming up. We have lots to do helping President with everything. There are lots of things to take into account. It's a real blessing to be with him. He receives so much revelation it's incredible! Sometimes he receives answers that he's not sure why, but then later we realize that it was for a wise purpose from the Lord. I love this work. I know it's His.

Oh hey you asked me about Elder Martin right. Well I was his first Zone leader in San Gabriel. haha. He is a great missionary. Right now he is a Zone Leader in a place called Pisco. He's a good friend of mine. Kind of funny how small the world is huh.

Sorry I haven't sent pics. My camera has a virus. I'm not quite sure how to kill it still.

Well fam I love you a ton! Sorry I'm not sure when I'll be able to write to you all again. Next week will be crazy too, lots of training and stuff! It's exciting but kinda stressful too. I love you a ton!

Love Elder Bearnson

Mom my painting is done! Its just drying thoroughly then they will bring it to me! Elder Brinton says it's pretty sweet. I sure hope so. I'm kinda wanting to buy some cool stuff here before I go home. What do you think? Im just not sure when I'll be able to come back. I'm kinda thinking about a guitar and maybe some other stuff like that. I love you mom! You guys can write me whenever. I'm just not sure when I'll be able to reply.

June 5, 2011

Hey Familia!

I'm sorry that I haven't written you guys this week. It has been a super crazy time for me here! I have had lots of things to do. Yesterday we had a zone leaders council. Last Tuesday we had a leadership training with all the leaders from the south part of the mission. Last week was the coolest! We went to Ayacucho! Its in the mountains way far south! And we flew! That was fun! We had to wake up at 2 in the morning and get ready to go to the airport. We left and got on the plane at about 530 in the morning, and landed in Ayacucho about 1 hour after. Ayacucho is beautiful! I took a bunch of pics from the airplane. I'm not sure if I should have taken pics while we were flying but I did. I won't be able to send them this time because my camera has a virus. But there are mountain and valleys and lakes and trees. It's really pretty. The city is super old with lots of old buildings from when the Spanish were here. We went for a few days to visit the elders and then have a zone conference. Its really fun. I got to work with Elder Ponciano, my second companion in Mala. That was really fun. I love teaching with him.

Ok the other day I went with my companion and Presidente Manning to Mala. He interviewed TWO of my converts so that they can go to the temple! Iber and Chabela! They were the first marriage that we did in Mala. They were going to go to the temple on Friday but some kind of complication came up and they couldn't come. They will be coming this Friday though to be sealed with their son Nicolas. I'm kinda bummed out though because I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it. I have to be in Nazca which is the farthest part away in the mission. I'm not sure what I'm going to be able to do. I have too many responsibilities to take care of right now... its kinda tough. The Whitney's will be going with them and so will the Reich's. I forgot to tell you all that I got to see them last week. It was really fun. Sister Whitney told me to tell you thanks for the comment on their blog mom, and also for reading it.

I cant tell you how awesome it was to see Iber and Chabela again, and the best part is they are preparing to go to the temple. As missionaries its awesome to have a baptism but it is so sad to hear that they aren't super active anymore if that's what happens. But the absolute best thing ever is that they make it to the temple. I really can't think of anything better! How wonderful is that! I know that the temple is a sacred house, dedicated to the lord by his holy prophets. And we as his children we have the opportunity to enter there and make sacred covenants as a family. if we are true to those covenants we will receive the highest glory in the kingdom of God. Presidente Manning said something the other day that really impacted me. Sometimes I find myself thinking and wondering if I'm really good enough to make it to where I want to go. That is the celestial kingdom. I know I have errors and faults, but I try. Sometimes I have wondered how can I measure myself. What Presidente said answered my question. quote "If you live worthy to have a temple recommend until your last breath of life you will be worthy!" That really impacted me a lot. I sure do love the Lord. He loves us so much and is so willing to forgive. All we have to do is do our best and we can live with him! It's something that I can't really understand. I don't understand how it is that the Savior took upon himself our sins but I know that he did it, and I'm so thankful to him for all that he did.

I have been thinking a lot about prayer these last few days. I'm really trying to have more sincere prayer. It's through prayer and reading the scriptures that we can really come to know God. I know its true. I'm not the best at it, but I'm trying. Family I love you so much. Thanks for everything that you do!

You might be wondering why I'm writing Sunday morning and why I'm not in church. Well here in Peru it's the final election day for the new president and it's illegal to have public meetings during this day. So we can't go to church and everyone is voting right now. So I made breakfast and studied and then we came in to the office to write our families because we haven't been able to write this week.

I really love to be able to be with president so much. It's awesome to be able to drive around with him and just talk to him. We can ask him things and he is really sincere with us. We talk about the problems in the mission and the things that we are going to do to fix it. I love it!

Well family thanks for everything that you do. I love you all so much.

Love Elder Bearnson

May 23, 2011

Hey family!

Wow did I have a week! This new job is kinda crazy! So on the 17th we were here in Lima with 3 zones having a zone conference. I'm learning how to think on my feet and do things a lot quicker. In a zone conference we have things that we want to teach the zones and we have an agenda but sometimes we take a whole bunch more time with something and then sometimes we take less. Everything varies and we have to be very flexible. It's a lot to not forget but its possible. I'm really glad to have my companion, because without him I'm not sure I could do it. He sure helps me a lot. I like the zone conferences because I get to meet lots of missionaries that I never knew. I'm learning lots of very useful things, it's actually a really big blessing. I'm learning things that will help me be a better businessman and a better student, a better teacher all sorts of stuff. I'm very grateful for this opportunity. I have lots of opportunities to help people and missionaries.

On Thursday I went to Mala!!!!! It was so great! I didn't get to visit converts but it was good to just be there. Mala has a special spirit. I just liked being there and talking to the people there. I got to see Lily and Ever and their little girls! The twins are really big! They are doing well and in good health. On Friday we went to Cañete to have a conference and then we went on to Pisco where we had a conference on Saturday. The coolest thing about being in conferences all the time is being with President Manning. He shares lots of little different things with each zone, but I get to hear it all:) I try to take time and write the new things that I learn in between doing things. This week I'm going to Ayacucho! Its a place in the mountains and we are flying! It's gonna be sweet!

I know that this gospel is true and that through this church with the ordinances that we can receive we can make make it to the highest kingdom in heaven. We can literally live with God and the Savior. How special is that? I know that if we do our part and work hard, I mean really hard we can make it with our family. I love this gospel, I have lots to improve on but I'm doing my best. Little by little I'm doing better. The Savior is helping me to be better. If we let him work in us we can make it to celestial glory. I love you family, I love you and I'm so happy that we have the chance to live together forever. I want everyone to have this chance, that's why I'm a missionary. I fulfill my duty helping people get to the waters of baptism and make sacred covenants with God. That is my purpose, to help them get on the path to heaven. I love this work and I'm happy to be a part of it.

I love you all family!

Love elder B

May 16

Hey fam!

My new life as an assistant is very, very different. I have lots of responsibilities. We have to do the majority of the preparing of zone conferences, and stuff like that. We plan with President and we take care of lots of things that he wants us to do. We plan the zone conferences with him and then we get everything ready to go. This week we will have three conferences one here in Lima, the other in Cañete Friday! I'm gonna see the Riches and the Whitneys! Awesome! I'll get to pass by Mala!!! Side note! There are now 130 people attending the Mala Branch. When I got there, there were only about 50! It's progressing so much! Ok, back to the stuff. On Saturday I'll be in a place called Pisco. The cool thing about this new assignment is I get to travel a lot and I'll see the whole mission.

This last week we actually got to work in our area a lot. I was able to meet a lot of the members. Its a great ward! Its called Surquillo. The members help out a ton and the bishop is awesome. We have a house converted into a church. Its pretty sweet. Its illegal to build a church building where the church wants to, so they have been using this house for the last thirty years. They take really good care of it and its really pretty. Its all hard wood. We have some awesome investigators. One girl is named Ana Lucia. She is only fifteen but has the mental capacity of someone much older. She would be baptized if only her mom would give her permission to do it. she gives us tons of references. Its hard sometimes to see people that are so prepared be denied the gospel because of the choices of another. She will be baptized though, we have a plan. We are doing everything that we can to convince her. Please pray for Ana Lucia.

I live in one of the richest places in Peru. Its very different from where I have been before. There are streets and grass and there aren't stray dogs. I saw an Audi today that looked like a concept car that escaped from the factory! Its very different from what I'm used to. The people are kinda hard to teach sometimes because they think that they know everything, and talking to people in the street is very ineffective. They don't even respond to your "Buenas tardes" usually. But when you do find someone that will listen to you they understand very quickly. Its something that I'm also not used to. Its different but i like it. I'm glad that I still get to teach. Sometimes we don't have time because we go with President or we are in the office for a long time but when we do have time, we get to go out and teach. Oh something cool. I live next door to the Romanian Emabassy. I thought that was kinda funny cause Nats in Romania, haha.

We do lots of things with numbers. We take things like all the lessons taught and the contacts and references and we put it into spread sheets and stuff like that. Its not the funnest but someone has to do it. Its not bad. I'm kinda nervous about learning everything because Elder Cahui, my companion is going to have a change in five weeks and I have to know everything that there is to know so that I can "run the show". I have to learn an area and take care of the mission too. Its stressful and challenging but I like it. I hate to say it but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to get a little fatter while I'm here. Its really hard to eat good food. I don't have time to make stuff very much and its hard to buy everything that I need. So I'm going to try and be good at doing my exercises so I don't get too fat. But please don't stop loving me if I get a little chubby.HAHA

Oh before I forget, I ran into someone today that just finished her mission in Mesa Arizona. She said that she worked in the visitors center a lot. I just thought that was pretty cool. She said that Elder Caywood sounded familiar but didn't remember him exactly. I can't remember her name.

I'm stoked about Ben! That is so cool! I'm super happy that everyone is making it out to the mission field. Thanks for sending me the letter from Justy!

Well family I love you a ton! Thanks for everything that you do! you are the best!

Love elder B

May 2, 2011

Hey fam!

This week was one of the best weeks that I have had in a long time.
It's been a rough month. We ended up getting our 20 lessons. But this
week was a holiday called the workers day. Really they just get a
holiday for 4 days and drink in the street. It's kinda lame to go out
and work with holidays like that.

We have the family Castro. Juan Carlos is the best seriously. I have
never had an investigator that is so darn ready. He asks us to teach
him more commandments so that he doesn't mess up. He is the best
seriously. His son that was born two weeks ago was born with a
cleft pallet, so that's making it kinda hard for his wife to go to
church. They are really excited though. This week will be pretty
sweet. I'm excited to call you. I can't believe that I'm calling you
again already. It's kinda weird. I hope that I can hear Lauren.

Sounds like everyone is doing well at home. We did kind of a silent
celebration on the Bin Laden story. You´ll have to tell me a little bit
more about that later.

Changes are coming up this week, so this could be my last week in
floresta. I sure hope that it's not so that I can be here for the
baptisms of the Castro fam and a few others this month. I forgot to
tell you about Cristina. We have been teaching her since I got here
but she hasn't been able to go to church because of her work. She
finally was able to change it. We had fasted for her in April so that
she would be able to make it. She will be gettting baptized on the
21st! Awesome.

Well family I love you a ton! I'll talk to you on Sunday. Not sure when
I'll talk to you but I think I'll be able to call you for a sec to
schedule a time. I love you!

Love B

April 25, 2011

Howdy family!

Well I had a great week here in Villa Salvador again. We have been
working really hard and the Lord has been testing me and my diligence.
There's two weeks that we have had with only about 14 lessons. Lame...
we had something around 15 or 16 appointments fall through on us. Down
here on Easter week they celebrate from Thursday to Sunday. It's a big
deal usually. Lots of people decide to celebrate the Savior partying
and drinking in the street. Not very fun for us. Lots of our
investigators weren't home because they were visiting their family and
everything. We managed to get a whole bunch of new people to teach
this week. We had 10 new investigators and 7 of them we found
yesterday. If we just keep going and we don't quit when it's hard the
Lord always blesses us in many different ways.

We have 8 people with a baptismal date for May. Some of them are
progressing better than others but they all could use your prayers.
Juan Carlos and his family are doing great! Ursula had her baby on
Tuesday. So get this, I love the names in their family. The dad is Juan
Carlos, his first son is Juan Carlos and the new baby is Juan David.
we call them the Juan's, in Spanish los Juanes. So Ursula didn't come to
church on Sunday but Juan Carlos did. He liked it a lot. He is working
on changing his job so that he can come to church every week. What day
was Titan born? Was he born the same day as Juan? That would be pretty
cool. Congrats to the Mailes! Seriously I'm stoked to go home and see
all of my new cousins. I love you all so much family. You're really the
best that there is. Sorry my letter is a little short this week.
Love elder B

April 18, 2011

Hey familia!

Thanks mom and dad for your help. It has been kind of a weird week. We
had interviews on Tuesday so that means that I pretty much didn't do
anything all day in my area. When we have interviews the zone leaders
do "interviews" with the other companionships. We check their area
book and see how they are doing. We always do that stuff but it's just
an extra time to sit down and talk to them. I like doing it but it
takes a long time. In my interview President asked me to extend my
mission and I just wrote him accepting. I'm not sure why he asked but I
know that if he asks, the Lord is asking. I will go and do. Thanks mom
for checking up on that stuff for me. I really appreciate your help.
You could tell Rick that it's possible for a couple of weeks before I
figure out what I'm going to really do. I really have no idea what my
plans are for when I get home. President told me to be thinking about
it a little bit but it just makes me more confused haha so I'll just
wait, i think...

In other news. This week was really hard. We had very few lessons. We
had to do lots of interviews for people to get baptized. I think I
interviewed 3 personally. We had 7 get baptized in the zone this week
and we will have nine more next week! We are a little bit low this
month because we had Conference and then we had the national vote for
the presidency. It's illegal to have public meetings on that day so we
couldn't have church. So I took the sacrament for the first time in
three weeks yesterday. We are teaching the Castro family right now.
They are by far our best investigators that we have. I tell you about
them every week but they really are awesome. We had a lesson with them
planned on Saturday. Another companionship was going to have a
baptism at about the same time as our lesson. We showed up to their
house and we said, hey you three want to go see how you're going to get
baptized? They said sure let's go! So we jumped in a taxi and went to
the church. They were starting a little late so we did a tour of the
church with them and then we had a short lesson with them in the
chapel, then we went to the baptismal service. It was way cool. We felt
the Spirit really strongly with them in the chapel and then at the
baptism. It was a special night. We taught them about the Sabbath day.
we knew it was going to be kind of hard for them to live it because
Hermano Castro has to work every other Sunday. He is going to talk to
his boss and do all he can to change his schedule. He could use your
prayers.

I love you so much fam! You're the best in the entire world, seriously. I
love you all tons. Thanks for all of your support and love. I don't
know what I would do without a family like you.

Love elder B

Mom thanks for your help. That is going to help me figure out what I'm
going to do. I'm not sure where I want to study... It's alright I'll
figure it out like you say, when I get home. Tell Gma hi for me and
that I love her tons! I'm so jealous seriously about her trip! It sounds
like an awe inspiring expereince. Thanks mom I love you tons. Thanks
for not getting bummed out because I'm going to be here a little
longer. I know of lots of moms that wouldn't feel the same. Thanks!!

April 13, 2011

Hey mom and dad,

You might be a little surprised to be getting an email from me today

but there's a reason. I had an interview with President Manning

yesterday. He asked me to do something that he said he has only asked

1 or 2 other missionaries to do. He wants me to extend my mission for

30 days,that would mean that I'll get home the end of August or first

week of September. He asked me all about my plans for when I go home

and what I want to do. He doesn't want to interfere with my schooling

but I wasn't really planning on it anyway right off the bat when I get

home. I don't think that I'll have the money or the time to get right

into school when I'm home.

What I have thought about doing after my mission until now has been

finding a good job and some place to live in utah and get settled then

after the fall semester go to school at BYU or USU im not sure...

During the fall semester when I first get home while working I wanted

to take a few classes like math to catch up in some community college.

I need you to do some things for me so that I can make a good

prayerful choice. Please:

1- find out what kind of classes I could get into in a community

college. I'm not sure which school. Maybe one in Logan or in Salt Lake.

Im not sure if they will still be taking people on in september.

please give me a couple options of schools to go to.

2- maybe talk to Jess in a little bit more detail and see if there are

some kinds of jobs out there in a hospital that I could take.

3- Please talk together and give me some advice about what I can do

when I get home. I want and value it.

President said he doesn't want me to feel pressured into doing it. But

he has had the impression that I should stay for another month. I'm not

sure what he wants me to do during that month, but what he asks the

Lord asks. I told him in my interview that I would do it, but he asked

me to look into the things that I want to do when I get home and then

make a prayerful decision. He said "I have recieved an answer but I

want you to recieve it too". I'm not sure why the Lord wants me to stay

longer but I know that he must have something for me to do while I'm

here in that extra month. I think I feel a little bummed about getting

home later cause everone will be in school but I have to look at it

from the Lords side. President said he has only asked 1 or maybe 2

elders to extend in his whole time here and now he's asking me, but he

wants me to know if I should do it for sure or not. Thanks mom and dad

for your help. I need this information by MONDAY So that I can give an

answer to President. Thanks for your help and your time to help me out

and do some investigating. I know it might be kind of a pain but it

would really help me a lot. Thanks for being the best parents ever

really. I love you so much. Have a good one. I'll talk to you Monday.

Love elder B

April 11, 2011

Howdy doo fam!

I am having an awesome time here in Floresta. Elder Jimenez and I are

working hard together. We have 23 people with a date this month and we

are making big progress. The Zone is really excited and we are

working it hard. The cool thing about being a leader in the mission is

that you have to spend your time thinking about other people and the

best way to help them. Sometimes there are low spots in the mission

and you have to figure out a way to help that area change and be

better. The best thing is that you always have to be an example. I

think that I have grown a bunch and it makes me want to be the best

that I can be. My companion and I don't have anyone with a baptismal

date for April still but we have a few for May. We are working hard to

make sure that we can get them to their dates. One of them is Azucena

the mom of Jose Maria. The other is Cristina the sister of a member and

then the Castro family. They are awesome! The Castro family is great!

We are pretty much teaching the whole family now including his mom and

aunts and sisters. The dad we are still working on... Brother Castro

said that he prayed and said that he feels an inner peace that this is

the true church. When an investigator receives an answer and they

really know that it's true, it's the best feeling that there is, really.

Mom I really liked your experience with your talk at Sarahs baptism.

It's funny how we prepare something then at the last minute we have to

change it. I know that the lord puts words in our mouths so that we

can help others, just like you did. Now the next step is invite her to

listen to the missionaries too. DC 84:85. It says don't worry about

what your going to say beforehand fore it will be given to us in the

exact moment. We still have to prepare but be ready to listen to the

Spirit to change at the last minute.

Sounds like grandma is doing awesome in Jerusalem! That's awesome! I

want to visit someday. I also want to visit the temple in Rome. I

heard that it's going to be really big with a visitors center and

everything.

Thanks so much for your prayers and letters! You really are the best

family ever! I hope that everyone is doing great and that you're all

safe and sound. I love you all so much!

Love elder B

Hey mom! I hope that you got my license renewed for me! Thanks. Root

hard for Zach. That makes me happy that he's playing sports too. I

never thought that he would want to run. That's cool. Did you look for

those friends that I asked you to. That would be awesome. I want to

invite them to my homecoming and stuff. I have been thinking about

them a lot throughout my whole mission. That's awesome to hear about

Justy and Josh. Nat is about to go to Romania right? I got a letter

from her the other day. She sounds good. well mom thanks, I love you.
say Hi to Z and Dad for me! Love ya

April 4, 2011

Hey family!

Well we had a pretty sweet week! The most exciting thing that happened

was that we put a family that we have been teaching with a baptismal

date! Juan Carlos his wife Ursula and their son Juan Carlos Junior

will be getting baptized on the 28th of May! I'm way excited! We are

also teaching three of the sisters of Juan Carlos. They belong to the

Legion of Mary. They go out and preach in the hospitals and jails and

stuff once a week. They are really awesome ladies and they have some

really good questions. We have been teaching them and have had to do

it kind of slowly because of their schedules. But they are awesome!

They really read their pamphlets and they understand it well

before we have even taught them. What a blessing it is to teach them.

One day I saw Juan Carlos sitting under a tree after playing soccer

and I went up and talked to him. I felt a really strong spirit with

him and we set an appointment and we went and taught his whole family.

It was a really big blessing. How wonderful is the Gospel!

We also put Jose Maria´s mom Azucena with a date too for the 20 of

May. We are having a rough time in April and don't have anyone with a

date but I know we are going to be able to have someone.

We had our Zone leader council with President Manning on Thursday. I

love Zone councils. We make major descions for the mission together

and we talk about where we are in the mission. We are trying really

hard to reach our goal of 200 hundred baptizms. We have been close a

few times but we still haven't made it yet. I love this work. I'm having

a good time with Elder Jimenez. He is way cool and brings a very

special spirit with him.

On Saturday and Sunday we watched conference, and I got to see it in

english! WHOO! I understand it in Spanish but it's just really

different to be able to watch it in English. I loved all the talks. I

really liked the one about the Sabbath day. Throughout my mission I

have realized just how badly I kept the Sabbath day holy. I'm going to

do it better when I get home. I liked all of the talks and was really

touched by all of them.

We had two couples come and participate in a session. One of the

couples we have been teaching for a while, David and Milayda. They are

great people but they aren't married. They are working on it but they

came to the last session on Sunday. As we were heading to the stake

center I was praying that they would understand the talks and that

they would pertain to them. The first one right off the bat was

marriage! Awesome! They were listening intently.

I'm so glad to be a missionary. I'm really working hard in these last

few months that I have left. I don't wanna waste a minute. I'm really

happy for Elder Caywood and all the hard work that he has been doing.

I can tell that he has really been converted to the Gospel in his time

on the mission. I try everyday to be converted to the lord and try to

be better and follow examples like Elder Caywood. Thanks to you and

all the hard work you have done. Have a wonderful day tomorrow at your

sisters' baptism! You have to send me pics! I can't really believe that

Sarah is getting baptized! How cool is that?! I still remember bugging

her when I stayed over there at The caywoods. It's funny how with time

everything changes.

Well family, I love you so much and thanks for everything that you do

for me. Thanks for the b-day packages from both grandmas and Mom! You're

the best really! I love beef jerkey! Oh and the Reeses hit the spot

really. Thanks for everything that you are and do! Grandma have fun in

Jerusalem! I'm really Jealous! I wanna go there!

Love Elder B

March 28, 2011

Good mOOOOOOOOrning famila mia!

Well first off, thanks for all the birthday shout outs that i received

from everyone! I had one of the best birthdays ever, seriously!

Well first things first... Elder Campos will be going home to Bolivia on

Wednesday... I'm going to miss him a ton! He really is the best Elder

ever. My new companions name is elder Jimenez. He's from Nicaragua! He's

nicaraguense! He's only got 10 months in the mission but he's awesome.

We are gonna work hard together!

So the night of my b-day Lourdes, our first convert here in Villa threw

me a way sweet family home evening. They bought me a monster cake!

They put my face in the cake! I don't have pics on my camera but I'll

have them send them to you. I had frosting so far up my nose that I

think it entered my brain... It was a good cake though. We went and

taught a lesson to Jose Maria and his family. Then when we got home

the family that we live with bought me another cake. I ate lots of

cake.

Jose Maria's family bought me a cake on Wednesday.. I ate a lot of cake

and there is more in the fridge. I didn't want to tell anyone that it

was my b-day but Elder Campos spilled the beans. Peruvian love hurts...

your stomach! They show their love by filling your already full

stomach again! I love them so much! They are the best!

So we had a lesson with a family that is way cool! Juan Carlos and his

wife Ursula. Ursula was pregnant... I say was because we went to the

appointment and they told us that they had left and the doctors

were telling her that she needed to have a C-section. So we haven't

been able to talk to them for a few days. We are hoping and praying

that everything goes well for them.

On Tuesday night my companion was here with another elder. I was doing

a visit in another area. They went to a family that we had contacted

and ended up teaching 12 new investigators! Awesome! Pray for us

family, we don't have anyone with a baptism date in April. We have

conference this week and then the next week we have the national

elections in Peru. One of the laws is that you can't gather in

groups of people on those days so... no church. It's going to be hard

for our investigators to progress this month. But we are gonna make

it! We finished the month of March with 33 baptisms and confirmations.

That's much much better than what we have had in the past!

Well family I love you tons and tons! I hope that everything is going

excellent there at home! Be careful and stay strong!

Love elder B

Hey mom I think that you could renew my drivers license now. I think
that it's going to expire this month!

March 21, 2011

Hey family!

We had a pretty good week this week! Up until right now we have had 19

baptizms in the zone! We have 15 more for the 26th we could finish the

month with 34 baptizms! It will be such a huge miracle! Please pray

for the people in the zone, the mission and the world. It's not an easy

thing to be baptized. I have been reflecting a little bit about all of

this. For someone to be baptized they have to usually change many, many

aspects of their lives. It's not an easy thing to do. I'm so proud of

them when they make the choice to leave "babylon" behind and go

forward with faith in Christ, knowing that He will help them with

everything. I find myself awe-inspired at their faith.

This week is the last week that my companion has in the mission. We

are working really hard right now. We have had kinda a rough time

because lots of our investigators have kinda fallen off the edge. Some

have lost their interest or just aren't willing to do what they need

to. BUT! We have found some awesome families! Yesterday I had a

powerful experience. We walked passed a house after our dinner

appointment and through the window I saw a family sitting and talking

together. I'm not sure what it was that I felt, but I needed to talk to

them. I'm sorry to say that I was slow in my response to the prompting. We

walked by the house and got to the corner. We waited for about thirty

seconds for a moto to pick us up. Standing there I felt like someone

had punched me in the gut. I told Elder Campos "tenemos que ir por

allí" "we have to go over there". He followed me back to the house. I

knocked on the door and a woman that to me didn't look super happy came

to the window. We said that we were missionaries and we had a pleasant

conversation with her for a minute or two, then her brother came to

the door as well. We talked to them and her brother shared a lot of

problems that he is going through. He is separated from his wife and

now his son lives with her really far away. He only gets to see him on

Sundays when he takes him to an evangelical church. They were really

nice to us and eager to hear what we have to say. I'm glad that I

listened to the spirit and knocked on that door.

Thanks everyone for your B-day emails! Thanks to Hermano Pollary for

the letters from the youth. The one that told me Zach spilled my

hospital story was pretty funny. I was laughing pretty good. Thanks

for all your support and prayers! I hope that you are all doing

excellent.

Love elder B

Mom,

Still didn't get my package but it should be coming soon. I did get

some jerky from grandma dot though. The best! Tell B happy Bday from
me! Love you tons mom!

March 14, 2011

¡Familia!

I had such a wonderful week! Here in Villa el Salvador we had 9

baptizms in the whole zone! It was a really good week! My companion

and I had two. Claudia and Jose Maria. It was such a great baptizmal

service! Probably one of the best that I have ever had. It was so

reverent and peaceful and it went off without a hitch. Jose Maria is

an awesome kid. He's going to early morning seminary and is actually

the class president haha. Pretty awesome. Claudia is doing really

well. Her mom is getting active in the church again.

About Mala! Awesome! My best friend in the mission is in Mala right

now, Elder Brinton. He told me that Arevalo's daughter and husband were

going to get married and baptized but he didn't tell me when! That's so

cool! I'm so happy for them! I actually taught that couple a couple of

times when I was there. I think that it was Elder Ponciano and I.

Arevalo is so strong and he is sharing the gospel with his whole

family. The only bummer is that I'm not going to be able to make it for

their sealing. They are going to get sealed after I come home...

bummer. But they are going to do it and I'm thrilled for them!

We found a family named the Castros (sorry I can't think how to say

that correctly) They are awesome! We contacted a guy that was sitting

under a tree one day and we went to his house to teach them. They are

awesome. We had a second lesson planned but because of a zone

conference that they made go later than expected we had to cancel. But

after our lesson he went and talked to his neighbor who's a member and told

her he wanted an appointment with us. It's awesome when an investigator

comes to look for you instead of us having to look for him. It shows

their desire. His family is the best, AND THEY´RE MARRIED!! whooo!

everytime that we go he brings his wife and 9 year old son down to

listen to us. They have tons of desires.

I have a stronger testimony of the restoration. Every time that we

teach it something interrupts us. Literally it's almost 100% sure that

something is going to interrupt the first vision. Even in our zone

conference while we were practicing, some guy passed by with a mega

phone buying scrap metal. Something like that always happens. I know

its true because satan doesn't want anyone to hear it.

Well family I love you all! Thanks for your prayers. I'm trying my best!
Love Elder B

March 7, 2011

Hey fam!

Wow the weeks just fly by. I really do feel like all I do is write to

you haha. We are having a lot of success here in the area. This

last week we had a council meeting with Presidente Manning and all the

other zone leaders in the mission. Those are always really fun

meetings. We talk about all sorts of stuff thats very important for

the mission. We got there at 8 and left at about 4 or 5 in the

afternoon. It's a long time but they fed us pizza haha!! It was the

last time that my companion will be in one of these meetings. He is

going home in three weeks. He's the best ever, really. I'm not sure that

you could find a better missionary anywhere. It has been a real

blessing to be his companion.

This week was a bummer on the baptism side. Hermanito Braulio didn't

make it. He still has a lot of doubt about very key things in the

church and about some of the commandments. So just keep him in your

prayers and some time in the future he should make it.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE! We have two baptisms this week! Jose Maria and

Claudia. They are both young kids but they are really excited to get

baptized. Jose maria has had a really big change of heart. He´s

fourteen and if you think its hard to be fourteen in the states its

nothing compared to here. When we were teaching his Aunt silvia (our

last baptizm) he interrupted and didn't listen, in reality he was

annoying. But one day before we got there to teach Silvia about a week

before her baptism, he told us that he wanted to get baptized. He was

talking to his grandma and I don't know what she told him but he has

changed a ton! Since that day he is always there and gives us his full

undivided attention. He is going to early morning seminary everyday at

6 in the morning. He is a very different kid. Claudia's mom is a less

active member that has been stuggling. We live with her aunt and

uncle and they help her a lot.

We have a marriage that we are trying to

get to happen for the 26th of this month. We are trying to do an

activity with the relief society to help raise money for them. I have

learned something, it's better and means more to them when they pay for

it. And the members get to help and they make more friends and

everything works out better. The lord is blessing us with tons of

success in the zone and in our area. We had a companionship in our

zone with 21 lessons to an investigator with a member present. And

they still had a bunch of other lessons too!

Whoa! another cousin to get to know! That's like eight new cousins I

need to get to know when I get home! I'm the luckiest kid ever!

Congrats Lindsay and Austin! And C2 haha. Mom your K2 and He is C2

cool! Sorry that fruity and Grandma are sick! That's not allowed and

you need to get better! I hope everything goes well. I'm stoked about

all the missionary stuff that's happening back home! All the people

that are leaving and deciding to serve the Lord! The best decision

that you will ever make.

Thanks for everything fam! Good luck with your talks! Some of my

favorite scriptures about prayer are Alma 37:37 and 3 Nephi 18

Love you fam!

February 28, 2011

Wow family!

Sounds like great things are happening back home! A baptism of

a family in the ward! Awesome! My companion and I had a really good

week! We are working hard with several people and they are all

excited. We have people that are looking for new jobs to be able to go

to church, people that really don't have any support from their family,

others that need to get married, others that are here illegally and

need to do a whole bunch of paperwork to be able to be legal before

they can be baptized. My point is, that the gospel compels people to do

lots of hard things to get baptized. They really change their lives to

be able to live according to the gospel of the lord. This week we have

a brother named Braulio who is getting baptized on Saturday. He needs

help! Please pray for him to make it. All he has to do is decide and he

will get baptized.

I cant believe that Nat is heading to the MTC today! (Natalee actually left last week!)
Awesome! And Ben jammin! Awesome! It's the best decision that you will ever make!

Sounds like you have some awesome missionaries in the ward! Preach my

Gospel teaches us to commit people to baptize not any later than the

second lesson. It's cool! It's the best feeling in the world to find

someone that accepts the gospel so fast and then strives to live it.

Its a wonderful feeling!

So this week we were teaching a 14 year old kid named Jose Maria. I

think I told you about him last week. He has a date for the 12th of

March. Well, we went to go teach him on Friday night and his mom was

there too! His grandma is a recent convert and also his Aunt Silvia.
We taught his mom and she was all excited and everything

too. She said that she had decided to join a church and was looking

for one, and what a coincidence! We came and taught her that very day!

We taught her the restoration and invited her to be baptized, she

accepted! The lord works in mysterious ways. One thing that I do not

believe in is coincidences. God makes the smallest things happen so

that someone can come in contact with the gospel.

Whoa! Sarah is going to get baptized the day B comes home!!!!!! I'm not

sure that I can think of a better homecoming! That's an awesome story!

I'll be praying for her! So she has been listening to the missionaries

and stuff while B has been gone. That's awesome!

Oh and tell Josue! (joshie) Good luck for me! and good luck to Lindsey

and Austin!

Elder B
I love you a ton fam!

February 21, 2011

Hello world!

We had another awesome week here in Floresta! We had the baptism of

Silvia Burgos. She is the youngest daughter of hermana Perla, the lady

who's in the picture with her. The other little kids are all nephews

of Silvia. We have been preparing Silvia for a while, almost since I

got here, and she had been listening to the missionaries a little bit

beforehand. Her baptismal service was pretty good. She had to get

dunked three times. First for her name, second the elbow, and on the

third she got in! It was the first time that Elder Campos had to

baptize someone more than twice! We felt kinda bad for Silvia but she

was a pretty good sport haha.

We are working with a couple named Doni and Carla. Doni is the son of a

member and his future wife Carla. They are really cool and want to

learn. They are having lots of problems in their relationship but are

trying really hard to apply the things that we are teaching them. They

needed a testimony of the Prophet Thomas Monson, so we read an article

about anger from him in the ensign( the one with the King Benjamin on

the cover, I don't remember the month) As we were reading it Doni's face

changed. He became very serious and was listening very intently. We

finished reading and he said that his words gave him goosebumps. we

were reading it taking turns reading a column, but when it got to

Carla she asked if she could keep reading it. She almost read the whole talk.

They both, after reading it said we know that he is a Prophet of God.

I have a much stronger testimony of the power of the words of the

prophet. His words have helped three of our investigators have a

testimony.

We now have nine people with a baptismal date for March and April.

Braulio, Claudia, Nancy Max, Yamaira, Luis, Alejandro, Cristina, and

Jose Maria (Jose Maria is one name. They do it for Mary and Joseph.

If you're a guy it's Joseph Mary and if your a girl the other way around.

culture fact of the day) Please pray for all of them. They are awesome

people. All of them have their specific problems and challenges but

the lord is helping them. Pray for Braulio he needs your help to be

able to make it to his date. He comes to church, pays his tithing but

doesn't feel sure about getting baptized. Pray for him to have the

courage to just do it. He knows it's true.

I love you family thanks for all of your prayers! I love you so much

and pray for you all. Be safe and keep working hard!

Love Elder B

Mom,

I have received my trunkie letter. It's a letter that says when I'm

going home and asks me for specific info. I'm coming home the 3rd of

August. I'm not sure if I'm going to extend or not but I'm leaning

towards the no. I need to know these things

The number for Pres Muirhead, the airport where I'm gonna land.

Thanks mom if you could get that stuff for me for next week that would

be great thanks.

Have you talked to Jess? And I think that I'm going to want to go

to BYU but in 2012. I need to go home and work my tailfeathers off...

I have found some way cool buddies here in the mish we wanna be

roommates. Well mom I sure do love you. Hows dad? I sure do
miss you guys a lot but I'm working hard and doing my

best. Thanks mom!