Week 37: Scorpions and quotes

Hey Everyone!

So this week FLEW BY. I realize that I say that just about every week, but seriously its like things go by faster and faster as each month goes by...

So there was just lots of commotion going on this week because it was the first week in our Zone and a ton of new missionaries got here, so we had to make some arrangements for a few of them, but it was great. My companion is literally the man. He is my best friend in the mission and we have way too much fun together. The best part is that we work super hard too, and so it makes everything so much better. Hermosillo is a whole lot hotter than Nogales, that's for sure. Good news is that the heat is going down so it is pretty bearable..... (spelling?). There is one picture that I sent that is of two scorpions that I killed as they were about to sting Elder Evans!! I should have killed them after the stung him, huh?



To make up for lack of writing lately, a sent a ton of pictures (see week 36) of me leaving nogales, and a few things happening here in Hermosillo. Hope you enjoy. Along with those, here a some quotes I heard this week.

"Success is easy to obtain. The difficult part is deserving it."

"Dreaming of success is good, but making it a reality is better."

"The ultimate challenge in life is to reach this equilibrium; Learning to be happy with all that you have, while pursuing all that you desire."

Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Bernal

Week 36: Lots of pictures!

Connor was called to be a zone leader which means he works with the mission president and district leaders to oversee the missionaries and service in his area! Here are some pics from the past week!

Week 35: Transferred back to Hermosillo

Hello!

Hellooooo everybody!

Sooooo this week was awesome, but also really sad.

Saturday night I was walking with Elder Otteson, and I get a call from a friend, telling me that I had transfers and that I was going to go to Hermosillo. To be honest, I was pretty sad. I did not want to leave Nogales or my companion, nor was I ready to do either. I got pretty sad because I was totally on staying. BUT, The Lord knows what he is doing, so now I am in Hermosillo! The good part is that my companion, is literally one of my best friends in the mission, so that could not have gone any better. This is about to be an awesome awesome companerismo!

Unfortunately, because of cambios, I have just about zero time to write. I had a ton of photos too that I wanted to send, but that will have to wait till next week!

Also, since I am no longer in Nogales, the mailing will be different now. Unless what you are going to send me is extremely important, in which case you may still send it to nogales, all other mail will have to go the first address I sent out a long time ago! Thank you!

And btw, thank you Mommy for the box full of ties and belts!! I wuv you!!!

AND SINCE I WONT WRITE UNTIL THE 20TH, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIENDS ERIC BDE STEFANCHIK AND SHAIN SCOTT WHOSE BIRTHDAYS ARE ON THE 17TH!!!! SOMEONE GIVE EM 21 AND 16 PUNCHES FOR ME!!

Much love,
Elder Bernal

Week 34: "Whether by mine own voice, or the voice of my servants it is the same (D&C 1:38)"

Hello everyone!!

This was a super fast week. We went to Hermosillo on Monday, and didn't come back until Tuesday night. Then Conference was this Saturday and Sunday, and it was SO AWESOME I LOVE CONFERENCE. The first time I saw conference in the mission, I was all pumped up and so excited to watch it, and now that I have seen the second, I loved it so much more. In the words of my brother Garret, conference in the mission is almost as good as Christmas. 

For those who do not know what conference is, let me explain. When Christ was one the earth, he established a church and called prophets and apostles to direct and lead it. Through his authority, they were able to have the ability to receive divine revelation. We believe that this same organization exists today in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. General Conference is our opportunity to listen to what the ordained prophets and apostles of our modern day have to say. Their messages come through the authority they possess, which allows them to receive revelation from the heavens. Modern day scriptures reveal that the Lord has told us, "Whether by mine own voice, or the voice of my servants, it is the same. (DC1:38)." Therefore, when we listen to these men, we believe that we are literally listening to what God is saying to us through the mouths of his servants.

Some highlights and quotes that stuck with me after this weekend!

"Courage is the form of every virtue at its testing point." Lynn G Robbins, Saturday morning.

"If you are going to verify the truth of the Gospel Principles, (that is, if you want to know if they are true), you must first live them."President Uchtdorf, Saturday morning session.

"You cant feel good about watching a bad movie, just because you didn't want a really bad one." That is to say, you can feel good about doing something bad, just because you didn't do something really bad. Jorg Klebingat, Saturday afternoon.

"I may not be my brothers keeper, but I am my brothers brother." Elder Holland, Saturday afternoon

This one needs to be listened to in context, but it was one of my favorites lines of conference: "Lord, is it I?" President Uchtdorf, Priesthood session

"The question is not if we will live again, but rather, with whom." James J Hamula, Sunday morning.

Lastly, for the best part of Conference, I would like to direct this last part to all of you who are not of the LDS Faith.

If you would like know why I, and my 88,000 missionary companions have decided to serve a mission, and why members of The LDS church share their testimonies frequently, I ask you to please take the 15 minutes of your day and watch this video. It was my favorite talk of Conference. I promise you it will help you understand more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In the Saviors words, I invite you to "Come, and see."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/10?lang=eng&vid=3822608486001&cid=10

Also, this weekend go see the movie "Meet the Mormons." It is going to be so good!

Love you all, till next week
Elder Bernal

Link to the rest of all conference talks, available for download at no cost. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2014/10?lang=eng

Week 33: "So fresh and so clean"

Hello everyone!

Sooooo this week was AWESOME. We are going to Hermosillo en an hour because we have a meeting over there, so once again, not a whole lot of time to write, BUT i will just talk about the best.

Our investigator Manuel Antonio got baptized! He is literally one of my favorite people alive. He has this witty sense of humor and just always a giant smile on his face. He always tells us that he is so happy that we have come to visit with him. When we were in his baptismal service, he would not stop telling us, "Elders, thank you so much for teaching me. Thank you so much for baptizing me I feel so happy right now this is so great!" Like over and over and over again and oh my gosh I almost died of happiness. And then when he finally got baptized.... These will be moments and images that are forever engraved in my memory. What a special special day. It is so gratifying because we work and work and work for these moments, and when they finally happen, AH there is nothing better. Makes me want to go out and work ten times harder so that everyone can always feel like this.

Check out the pics that are attached. So fresh and so clean!

Love you all, hope all is well, and no one was hurt by the E coli!

Elder Bernal