December 15

HELLO!

CAN YOU believe that CHRISTMAS is in 10 DAYS! AHHH!! I sure can't!

I absolutely love it! The Spirit of Christmas is in the AIR! People are dressed in festive greens and reds and the lights are all being set up- there are big Christmas Tree Stands on every other street selling hundreds of Christmas trees- and the Music of the Season is playing everywhere! I went all crazy and decked out our apartment with Decorations sent to me by my dear Mama- and drew Christmas pictures on all the windows with my window markers! Hehe!

Nelson was Confirmed this last Sunday! It was such a special Sunday for all of us. The Spirit was so strong- he had a lot of friends there to support him- and his friend Alma (like the Prophet... but in Mexican Woman form!) held a big feast for him at her house after church. It's so touching to see such love and integration with ward members and new converts. It can be such a change in people's lives once they choose to accept the Gospel- and a warm and welcoming Ward can make a huge difference in their first precious experiences with the Church.

We went down to Harlem today for P-day and I bought a warm coat for winter! All the Members were getting after me for not having a big hefty winter layer. "Elder! That doesn’t keep you warm! You need a bigger coat!"

SOOOO... yesterday (Dec 14) Elder Mitchell and I were walking down Anthony Avenue, and the FREEZING New York wind was slicing our faces- and we had a few appointments fall through- so to keep spirits high I started to sing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland." Within minutes I was singing at the top of my lungs- pulling the patented C.M.Bean "voice pop and slide"... when this gangster-looking guy all decked out in bling came up from behind me and said "Yo son, you got sick vocals!"... I was kinda shocked and embarrassed but he shook my hand and introduced himself as DJ Madness- and said "gimme yo number, I'ma producer, and I'ma hook you up." Haha I explained that I'm a Missionary and couldn't be ‘hooked up' but he gave me his card and number and said for me to call him in a year when I’m done with my Mission... SO just in case I decide BYU isn't for me, I guess I'll come back to the Bronx!!! Hahahaha!

I wish you all a wonderful week!

The Church is TRUE!

B safe B strong B WARM!

All my Love

Elder Brandon Hellberg

MERRY ALMOST CHRISTMAS!

December 8th

DEAR HOME!!

GOOD MORNING from the Bronx!

We had a great Multi-Zone Conference down in Manhattan yesterday at the Temple!

So... funny story.

Last week, we were trying to empty the baptismal font.... (I bet some of you can see where this is going...)

And the design on these fonts, man, needs to be re-done in future chapels (somebody take note)... The plug for the drain is right in the middle of the font, so when it's full, you actually have to climb down in to pull up the plug. Well, I being VERY clever, balanced a chair with another chair so I could reach down and grab the silver chain attached to the plug with a long bent-out metal hanger. (Now I'm sure you see where this is going...) I, AGAIN being VERY intelligent, was, OF COURSE, still dressed in my church slacks, WITH my suit coat on, WITH my wallet, planner, and camera. Epic fail. The chairs collapsed, and I gracefully pulled a classic "Alma Sr." and baptized myself in the font. LUCKILY everything was salvaged- all except my pride... especially when I had to run around the gym for 45 minutes to dry off my soaking slacks, and then walk for 15 minutes back to apartment in 30 degree weather with no socks on. :)

We truly are being blessed right now with people to teach. The whole Zone is doing great. We've committed ourselves to some really high goals- and we received some incredible promises from President Smith- and we are all excited and working hard to meet them! We are working right now with some incredible people. Angie, a sister of one of the Members has an incredible story of how she got to be in the Bronx- and how she feels like God is helping her right now through this time in her life. Last Sunday, we presented and blessed her brand new baby and 2 yr old girl in Sacrament Meeting. It was so sweet, and Angie said she loved it. She has expressed her desire to be baptized. We are also working with a friend of Maria and Maggie- she's 18 and she's incredible. She has a strong testimony and we love being able to visit with her and see her progress in the Gospel. She easily understands everything we tell her and has strong relationships with a few members already and, most importantly, with Heavenly Father.

Let's see... what else is coming up...

Interviews with President are tomorrow! We realized that they only happen every OTHER cycle now instead of cyclically, so I only have 4 left! Crazy!

All the Missionaries in the whole Mission are going up to the mission home for Christmas for a wonderful Christmas Luncheon! Then, we all get to ride Metro North back into the City and call our families! Yay!

The Kingsbridge Ward Christmas Party is on the 17th!

I am so excited for Christmas. I LOVED the First Presidency Devotional- all the Missionaries got to watch it at the Chapel. Afterwards, we went home and read in St Luke- I have truly come to appreciate and love those precious versus. Yesterday, we went over to Maria's house and shared them and a Christmas message with her in her doorway. The Spirit was so strong- you cannot help but be filled with Christmas Spirit when you get to Verse 11- "For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."... We left her house, and looked through the Window and saw their beautiful Tree, all decorated for the season. It warms my heart! PLUS, many people do the cool Christmas-light-choreographed-to-music thing on their apartments and houses! It looks so neat to see the City GLOW with Christmas!

I love you all so much. Thank you for all being so incredibly supportive. I hope your coming week is full of Hot Chocolate and playing in the snow and singing Christmas songs!!

The Church is TRUE!

B safe! B happy! B full of CHRISTMAS MAGIC!

Always,

Elder B Hellberg

December 1, 2010

Dear home!

I have officially been a Missionary... for 356 days (on Thursday)!!!!
It's mind-blowing. Time is very messed up right now... part of me thinks that it's been YEARS since I left my home in Salt Lake... and part of me thinks that I've only been in the Big Apple for a few weeks! Either way, my calender doesn't lie and I only have 1 year left- cranking up the pressure notch! I feel accomplished thus far, but I have much more than 1 year worth of stuff left to do- better get DOING it!

I'm SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS! It's truly the happiest time of the year. There are big light-displays and set-ups all over the city, big trees in all the stores and in many of the apartments... it's crisp outside and Spirit of Christmas approaches! We have started handing out the "Regocijaos, Jesus Nacio!" pass along cards! (Rejoice, Christ was Born!) I love it here in winter- it's cold, but everybody's hearts are a little warmer. People Smile and sing and all the crazy rap music is slowly becoming Christmas Music!

Elder Mitchell and I get along great! He's such a cool guy. He's 23 from Michigan, and is of African-American descent... making me, once again, the only white guy in the city! Haha! He's hilarious and we work together great. He already knows Spanish pretty well- but we have some good Spanish studies planned to help us both!

I gave a TALK in Spanish in Sacrament meeting on sunday! It was a little nerve-wracking at first... but it went okay!

WE'RE MOVING.............AGAIN!! BAHAH!! But this time... We're MOving.... to the HEART of LITTLE ITALY!! YAY!! Every morning at about 9 and every night about the same time- you throw open your window and in comes the fresh and wonderful smell of Italian Bread!! They have so many bakeries down there, that it makes a billow of warm bread air that blankets the area! It's so great! PLUS we live a block away from Palombos famous Italian pastry house! Cannolis and hot chocolate- and GELATO! (Dad, they have Caramel... Not quite as good as Asisi, but ALMOST!!) It's Mah-velous. We're moving into a remodeled basement apartment, with a big patio! And we even have a secret entrance to get in! You can't enter through the normal building entrance- there is a secret tunnel!!

We have a fun service project we do on Friday mornings! We play pool at an old-folks home for abooot a half-hour, then serve all of them food! Our district gets in these hilarious aprons and hats and gloves and we run around with hot plates of food for an hour. Afterwards, we sing to them! It's so fun! Last week, we sang Called to Serve and Somewhere over the Rainbow!

As far as teaching goes, all is going well! We're still working with many incredible people. Gabino, Roberto, Gloria, Inez, Jorge, Nelson, Hector, Flor, Sandra, Rosario, Marcela, Angie, Nancy and others- all of which are getting closer and closer to baptism. Many have told us of their desires to be baptized- and many are progressing and excited about the Gospel. It's such a blessing to be a Missionary and feel so attached and have such a great love for these people, and see them commit to following the Savior.

I love you all!
The Church is TRUE!
B safe. B happy! B REGOCIJANDO!

Elder Hellberg

November 24

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

GOOD MORNING!

Transfers were yesterday... and... ONCE AGAIN! I'm in the BRONXXXX!!!! This makes a grand total of 10 months in this city- and by the time I leave (if I ever do...) I'll have 1 (one) of every Holiday in the year here!! Crazy!

Elder Peine se fue! After 3 months together, Elder Peine and I have been separated! We got news on Sunday that he would be transferred to OLMSTEAD!! Where I started my Misison and spent 7 months- HE'S a BRONX baby too!! Mahah! I love and am going to miss Elder Peine- we had a good 2 cycles together. He is a little torn about leaving his greenie area- obviously- but is excited to experience other Zones in the Mission! As for me... I'm Training!! Elder Mitchell from Detroit Michigan flew in on Monday and now we're companions!! He's so great!! He grew up in Detroit and Ypsilani (spelling? someone help..) and is still on fire from the MTC! Never lose the fire! Always stay a greenie- remember, green things GROW! Brown things are dead. :) Elder Santo and I are still the zone leaders and have some good plans (muahaha) to try and kick the Bronx into gear! Love it here. Ahem.

Hermano Nelson's baptism is TOMMOROW (Thanksgiving DAY!) at 10:00 AM! He's so excited! He asked me to perform the Baptism- so I have to find my whitest shirt to wear with my white pants... and there will STILL be a HUGE contrast in whites... The Bronx Elder's shirts are a more Beige-esque color. Disconcerting, right?

We're teaching so many wonderful people right now- it's such a blessing to be serving right now. The Mission has big plans and goals for December- and with Christmas coming, everything and everybody will be a little brighter and happier. I love Christmas!

But for now- HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! YAY!!

Sorry- again, short letter... my new companion doesn't have a library card yet, so we have to share the laptop!! Next week... long e-mail I promise!!! :)

Love you all- the church is true!

B safe! B strong! B STUFFED for THANKSGIVING!! :D

Always,

Elder Hellberg

November 17

November 17, 2010

HELLO HOME!

Good week- it went by SOO fast!

OH MY GOODNESS I get to TALK to mi familia in about a MONTH!! CAN you believe how fast time is flying!? I only really get to talk to you 3 times in the Mission... that first Mother's Day (check) my second Christmas (almost check) and the last Mother's day (7 months)... then I'LL BE HOME the next Christmas! CRAZY! I can't even imagine coming home yet... It's seems SO far away in the distance! but my ONE YEAR MARK is in 13 days!!! AHH!

Last P-day we went to the Bronx Zoo... AGAIN! Haha I've been there (I think) 4 TIMES already. It never gets old! Definitely a must-do when you visit the Bronx... IF you ever visit. :) We went with a few other Elders and Sister Walker and Sister Coleman! Maa! Sister Walker goes HOME tomorrow! Isn't that crazy!? She told me she was going to call you and talk to you! Haha I told her she'd better!! :)

It was so strange, talking to Sister Walker. SHE, right NOW, is in a van heading down to the TEMPLE to go through one more time, before getting on a PLANE AND GOING HOME!! So strange- I can't imagine what she must feel like. And all the other Missionaries too- there are 3 from our Zone here in Kingsbridge going home- crazy! I can't even picture it! I have so much more to do before I'll even be remotely ready to get outta here!

I loved the tape and the package- thank you sooo much.! :) Will you tell Marshall and Lisa Reynolds that I got their packages as well and loved them! I'll write them back soon- but just to let them know i got them?

I SAW a license plate that said CJH on it! CONNOR!

OH MY GOODNESS. CONNOR. APPLYING. FOR. COLLEGE!?

AHHHH!!!! WHAT!?!?

That is RIDICULOUS! I can't even imagine that! Is he gonna start next fall? and then go on a mission?

Justin was confirmed on SUNDAY! It was such a good experience! He is such a stud- he loves the Gospel- when we went to visit him the other day he had been checking out LDS.org and the new website. He loves the Gospel- and talks about how excited he is to be a part of it and share it with his family and friends.

We had a very special training on Monday down at the Manhattan Temple! It was such a good experience. President Smith talked to all of the Zones in the City (Bronx and Manhattan). It's always great to get together with the other Missionaries and President and learn! Yeah! And I saw Hermana Passantino at the training meeting on Monday! It's always good to see her! She's a sweetheart.

Sister Coleman showed me a picture of Sister Landvatter from the Mt. Olympus 10th ward... she was running in the NYC marathon and saw the sister Missionaries and asked if they knew me!! Cool right!? HI SISTER LANDVATTER!! So great to (kinda) see you!!!

Gotta run- wish me luck, today we're playing RISK- testing our world-conquering abilities! Sorry this letter is so short... Bahaha next week will be better! ??

B safe! B smart! B brief.....? Hmm…

I love you all so much! Take care!

THE CHURCH IS TRUE!

Always,

Elder Hellberg

November 10, 2010

HELLO!
Good morning from the BRONX! It's a dazy overcast Wednesday morning- chilly, but not frozen! We have plans to go to the Botanical Gardens and skip over to the Bronx Zoo for a bit today! Get in a little of what's left there before the COLD sets in!!

Such a great week! We had Stake Conference- all of Westchester Stake was there- the Spanish session was at 10:00 am, and it was incredible. Such inspired speakers! The Stake Presidency spoke to us- 2 of the 3 can speak Spanish- and we had translators for the Speakers who could only speak in English. It's so interesting to apply things to your life differently as a Missionary- and to take note of things that I want to remember for after the Mission- especially things talking about families.

After Stake Conference, one of our investigators Justin was baptized! It was such a good day for everyone. Justin and his Mother showed up- they both loved the service and the Baptism- and Justin was glowing throughout the whole thing. It went great! The Spirit was so strong and the two Members who gave talks did SUCH a good job.

Remember Elder PRUE!? Haha He and I were finally reunited yesterday- we went on a companionship exchange and I spent the day with him in his area!! It was so fun- especially to see how much we've grown and changed since we were companions over 6 months ago. Haha reminiscing! We even kept up a tradition we had and got ASIAN food for lunch! We were sitting on a park bench eating it, when I dropped my egg drop soup (ha ha... pun...) and ALL of it spilled on my shoes and all around us- all the pigeons nearby saw and we were suddenly attacked by about A HUNDRED dirty birds trying to eat up the little pieces of egg. We had to flail and try and scare them away- 100 pigeons in mob-mentality is scary, man, they have no fear! FAIL. :)

We all went down to the Temple/Chapel in Mahattan last Friday to get FLU SHOTS! The dreaded flu season is back- every train and bus has at least one big ad about coughing or sneezing into your arm and "giving the flu a hand!" I told them I had an egg allergy when I was younger, and they told me never to ever get a flu shot EVER! Apparently terrible things can happen... So I'm NOT IMMUNE! Haha I wouldn't be anyway.. but I'm EXTRA susceptible! Hand sanitizer= new best friend.

WELL my dears, I'm being kicked off the Laptop.. I wasted a bunch of my time on the computers cuz I'm dumb and accidentally bumped the wireless service button and had to go to customer service and figure out what was going on for 20 minutes! FAil.

I LOVE YOU ALL!
The CHURCH is STILL True! ( I checked the status a few hours ago...)
Be safe! Be healthy! Be sanitized!

AlWAYS,
Edler Banrodn Hlebrelg

November 3, 2010

HELLO!!
It's VERY COLD.
Winter is WELL on it's way... you can see your breath outside- and there are CHRISTMAS LIGHTS being put up around the city!! HOORAY!!
Quite the eventful week...

On Monday, our District went over to paint the inside of a Member's house YELLOW! It was great fun, and if I can say so myself I think we did a pretty good job!! Afterwards, the Member made us these little mini-empanada looking things as a thanks! I took one, and it felt warm, but not HOT to the touch. So, I popped it in my mouth and bit down- and it EXPLODED into a MOLTEN SPINACH DEATH LIQUID that scalded the inside of my mouth. I screamed and spit it out and made quite a scene... but literally it was so hot it did DAMAGE. Not even exaggerating. I STILL have WHITE HOLES on the insides of my cheeks and about 10 big blisters on my gums and insides of my lips... and my ability to taste has been cut to 10%! And SALT KILLS! AH! Haha I have some WONDERFUL Oral-B ointment stuff. Miracle Worker.

Right After Church on Halloween, Elder Peine and I ran down to the Little Italy area to try and find someone who wasn't able to come to church that day and see what happened! All the way there, everyone was already out trick-or-treating (NY does it early...it's scary at night) and everyone was decked out in crazy costumes! Everyone made comments to us like "Look, their businessmen!" Always right after that one of their friends would say something like "No, that's the Mormons, they always look like that!!!" On the way back from their apartment, we ran into another one of our investigators! He said he wasn't able to come to church because he had to hurry and find a new apartment and he was Apartment hunting. During the conversation with him, a group of 5 or 6 people, all about our age, came up and started talking to us about the church. They asked us why we were Mormons and why we were Missionaries. We were just talking nicely, when 3 Taxi Cabs came driving by slowly (residential area...). Suddenly, out of the tennis courts nearby ran out a mob of little kids- all younger than 10, but a few younger than 6 or 7- with big rocks and bottles and they started HURLING them at the taxi cabs!! Windows cracked and shattered and doors dented- and the taxi cabs just hurried away before more damage could be done. Right behind them a big Escalade drove up and they all did the same thing- hucked rocks and glass at the car- and then what looked like a 5 year old went up to the car, reached up and punched the driver-side mirror and kicked the door! CRAZY I tell you! The group of kids we were talking to told us to get outta there- they said all the Kids in NY lose their minds on Halloween and that because we were dressed nice, we were probably their next target!! Haha we graciously shook their hands, gave them pass-along-cards, and RAN. :)

On Halloween Night, all the Missionaries had to be in their apartments at 6:00 SHARP (for good reason!!)! We planned for the next day early and broke out a fun game called "Quelf"- a game of complete and utter RANDOMNESS. It had us making up silly songs and poems and singing to other Elders and following hilarious rules like "During your opponents turn you may only speak in a Darth Vader Voice. Make sure to utter comments about the Dark Side every once in a while!" and "Before saying a phrase longer than 3 words, you must ask your foot for permission and then in a high pitch voice scream "PERMISSION GRANTED! Do this for the rest of the game!" Haha it was so fun! In the whole night, we only got trick-or-treated ONCE- by three little kids and their parents! Hahahaha we all ran around scrounging up candy for them- then we put in each of their bags a different one of the Church produced DVDs!! BAHAHA!! We said "Here's some candy!... and some pass-along-cards for your friends with pictures of Jesus on them! AND HERE'S SOME DVD'S FOR YOUR FAMILY!!" Haha the kids all got big eyed and "Wowed" at the jackpot... I wonder what their parents did when they saw what the DVDs were!! He he he...

Official note- I consider myself a focused Missionary. But can I tell you, I literally did a triple-take and screamed when I saw right in front of my face, plastered on the side of a bus, the HARRY POTTER 7 Movie Ad. OH. MY. POTTER. I was hoping some terrible thing would happen and they'd lose a bit of filming of the CGI would take EXTRA long or something... and they'd SOMEHOW have to release the final movie (s) after I got home... Now, all of you can go enjoy the movie and love it and all... that's fine... BUT- to anyone who even DARES send me movie information or pictures or anything!!!... I'm warning you... You will have a SERIOUSLY terrible HOWLER heading towards you in the mail! Mark my words!!

Right now we are teaching some truly amazing people. There's Justin, an 11 year old from the DR- he's got such a testimony already. We went and visited him last night to finalize everything for his Baptism this coming Saturday- and he is SO excited and SO ready. His family is excited for him also, and they plan on coming to the baptism. He siblings said they also want to be baptized- and his Mom is very interested too. We met Justin through Venecia, the sweet woman that was baptized about a month and a half ago. They live in the same building- and Venecia has been such a sweetheart to their family and has played a major role in helping us teach them.

Another sweet family we are teaching is Hector and Flor from Puerto Rico. They are so sweet- They have 2 kids, 8 and 18, and loved and cried when we watched the Restoration with them. They both committed THEMSELVES to read and pray and ask if it is true and come to church.

We have so many people we are teaching right now- it's such a blessing. We are working with the Mother of one of the Members here in the Ward. The Daughter and her siblings are all members, and are SUCH good examples to their family and the ward. The Mother is truly amazing. She is dedicated to her family and loves them so much- and has a true and genuine desire to learn and be baptized. She already has a deep understanding and beautiful testimony. It's inspiring. I believe in her.

I love this Gospel. Everyday my Testimony is tested and strengthened. I love doing what I am doing- and I cannot believe how fast time is flying. I was shocked yesterday to look at the Calendar and realize that I have already been away from home for 11 months! Time really is short here- and it flies like nothing I've ever seen. I only have 13 months left- and still SO much to learn and do and BE! I miss home- but being a Missionary is "Vale la Pena!"- and the blessings that come are exponentially greater than what I gave to be out here. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know it more know than I have ever known before. Every time I see my name badge I am reminded WHY I am out here and WHAT I am doing- and I feel the strength of the Lord helping me as I go forward with faith.
I love you all.


B Strong. B Valiant. B Believing!

Always,

Elder Brandon Hellberg