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