HELLO HOME!
It's a wonderful rainy day up here in Scarsdale, New York!
HOORAY Elder Fotu and I got our Chevy Malibu back from the shop!! Turns out NOT ONLY was the heating broken (which now is not as important given that the temp is FINALLY starting to HEAT UP) but the ceramic brake pads were GONE. Worn down to NOTHIN. Explains the rather constant singing from the left side of the car. :) It's nice to have back our bigger, faster, newer car... BUT I AM going to miss the 6-disc changer in the Corolla!
We had a really cool experience the other day. Elder Fotu and I were walking down Cortland St in Sleepy Hollow, and I was writing something in my planner- when Elder Fotu walked up to this little Ecuadorian man and started to talk to him. He introduced himself as "Angel" and told us he comes from the coast of Ecuador. I asked him if there would be a time we could come by and visit with him and share with him a message- and he said "Well... right here, right NOW!" We smiled and talked with him about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon for about 20 minutes right there on the side of the road. He gave us his number and told us to come back the coming Monday (2 days ago). On Monday we went over and had SUCH a great discussion with him. We told him about Joseph Smith and watched the DVD "The Restoration" and ended with Angel and us kneeling in his humble apartment in a powerful and sincere prayer to Heavenly Father. It was such a sweet experience. He committed to read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon - and we have an appointment with him NEXT Monday - and hope to see him at church the Sunday before!!
Funny things that happened this week...
ELDER FOTU AND I SAW 3 TEENAGE KIDS STEAL A FIRE ENGINE. BAHAHAH! They awkwardly and uncoordinated-ly pulled up to the stoplight next to us and frantically laughing flipped a bunch of switches and buttons and finally after about 20 seconds activated the sirens and flashing lights. They all cheered and stuck their heads out the windows like maniacs and screamed as they sped up and roared down the street. About 15 seconds later, two police cars zoomed by us, lights and sirens on, after the hijacked firetruck.
One of the things that I think Spanish people DON'T understand is the whole "Doorbell-ditching-while-leaving-things-on-the-porch" scenario. For the past few couple weeks, a family of investigators we are teaching has promised us that they would read in the Book of Mormon. Fail. As a friendly joke, last time we visited I said "Well what on earth do you WANT? A COOKIE!?" We all laughed and they once again promised us they would read. Last night, we made some warm chocolate chip cookies and put them on a plate and put a Pass-Along-Card on the top and left it on their porch and doorbell ditched. I ran back to the car and we sped away laughing! We drove around the block, came back a few minutes later... and the plate of cookies was still on the porch. SO, I scooted it closer to the door, and knocked- waited until I heard the father coming- then jumped the railing and ran like a madman. I saw from a distance him walk OUTSIDE and around his house. Then go back inside. I thought "he had to have either stepped OVER or ON the cookies, so either way he KNOWS they are there. I went back a few minutes later- STILL the cookies were sitting on the porch. I finally called and said "Hermano! Open the door and LOOK BELOW." He went outside and cracked up upon FINALLY finding the cookies. Hahaha! By that point I'm pretty sure the "fresh and warm" cookies were already VERY cold in the misty 40 degree weather!!! haha!!
Sister Almanzar and I are going to sing a song in Sacrament Meeting while my dear Elder Zwahlen accompanies us on the piano this coming Sunday!! HOORAY! Yeah Elder Zwahlen and I take turns every week as ward music director/ organ/piano player!
We have interviews with the Mission President on Friday and shock calls this coming Monday and then NEXT Wednesday are transfers!
Did you get Carlie's last E-mail? She's A CRACKUP! haha! I love her.
Have you been able to talk to Jill about housing and stuff for me and Jonny in BYU? I still have to write Dad an official "I'm- sorry- I'm- a- turn-coat- high-treason- son- but- I'm- going- to- BYU" letter! :S Not so sure how that is going to blow over! Haha I suspect he knows and accepts it... STILL I should let him know first hand!
I LOVE YOU ALL- please be safe and happy and well! The Church is True! - even in CHINA - just ask Carlie and Emily!
All my Love,
Elder Hellberg
March 23, 2010
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March 9, 2011!
HELLO!!!
ANOTHER week from the DEATHLY HALLOWS!!
Today for p-day we went to MANHATTAN again- a Member took us down from Westchester and we went to the Manhattan Temple!! It was wonderful! There, I saw dear Hermano Cerda from the Olmstead Ward where I first served in the Bronx- he works there at the Temple! He was ACTUALLY my proxy companion for a day when I was companionless for those LONG 2 weeks. He asked me how I was doing- and told me he though for SURE I was already home, married, with 2 kids!! We laughed and I said "NO! I still have 9 months left!!" He told me I'd better come finish my Mission in Olmstead so we can be companions again. :) After the Temple, we went to CRUMBS (best CUPCAKE house in Manhattan, if you'll remember...) and I bought a bunch of WONDERFUL FATTY FOOD!! After that, we drove to a little mini-restaurant-style place thing called "Crepes on Colombia." OH MY WORD it was so GOOD!! I got a "Turkey Breast with White Peach Creame Sauce!" THEN we ate nutella crepes that gave me CRAZY flashbacks of FRANCE! Gabrielli Machiavelli who lives in a DELI!! Bahaha last P-Day we went to a PARK and swung on a donut swing and ate fruit sorbet until we were sick. Success.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I BOUGHT SOME GIRL SCOUT COOKIES FROM A GIRL IN OUR WARD AND THEY ARE COMING ON THE 27th OF MARCH! HOORAY!
This past week Elder Fotu and I taught an INCREDIBLE man from the Dominican Republic. He lives in Elmsford, the part of our area that is closer to White Plains- and has lived here for almost 20 years. Turns out he know one of the Members from the Branch back in the DR- they lived in the same neighborhood in Santo Domingo and knew each other pretty well. His name is Rudy- and the Spirit around him is SO strong. Yesterday we went to visit him at his house- and turns out he lives with 2 other small Mexican Families (WHO, btw, he has invited to church with him and say they are coming) and already had a copy of the Book of Mormon; a member in Manhattan gave it to him years ago when he was having some family struggles. He told us that he used to read the Book of Mormon before and it brought him peace during those hard times- he just didn't know we were an actual organized religion. We taught him the Restoration. He cried and told us how special it felt to hear what we were talking about and how it felt familiar. When I extended a commitment to read the Book of Mormon and pray to Heavenly Father to know if it is true or not, he looked at me hard in the eyes and said quietly "Elder, te prometo que yo lo hare." Which means directly translated "Elder, I promise you that I will do it." It was such a powerful moment for me to see his new-found dedication to truly study and pray about the Book of Mormon!
We had a GREAT stake-conference down in Kingsbridge on Sunday! It was so good. We attended the Spanish session at noon (along with the other 30 Spanish missionaries in the stake) and President Rasband of the Presidency of the 70 came! It was such a touching experience. Right before the second hymn, President Bench (stake president) stood up and asked the Missionaries to come sit on the stand behind him and the other speakers becuase the chapel was SO full that there were many people without seats! We set a new record of attendance in the stake too! :) So all us Missionaries sat behind President Rasband and President Bench and their wives and the other speakers and the congregation stood and sang together- and tears welled up in my eyes at the intense feeling of Love that filled the Chapel. President Rasband stood and tearfully told the Missionaries how much he loved us (He said was a little biased towards US specifically, because he served here in NY NY North as Mission President a few years back..) and spoke powerfully about Jesus Christ's Atonement.
~~This coming week we are having an ePic zone confERence to discuss with ours and the StaMford and Yorktown Zones about what we as mISSionarIes learned frOm and what we are Now goinG to tRy to do About the thiNgs thaT Elder Bednar camE and discusseD with us. aH yEs, a veRy wisE friend of mIne reCently underscOred Mostly how I fEel about Elder Bednar- speaking Basically for the Young adults my friend said "he just gets Us." ~~ Sister Dunagan and I are going to sing a rather "Gospelesque" style version of the song All Creatures of Our God and King! We are excited!
I love you all very much. Wishing you a WARM week full of SUN and SPRING!
All My Love!
Elder Hellberg
ANOTHER week from the DEATHLY HALLOWS!!
Today for p-day we went to MANHATTAN again- a Member took us down from Westchester and we went to the Manhattan Temple!! It was wonderful! There, I saw dear Hermano Cerda from the Olmstead Ward where I first served in the Bronx- he works there at the Temple! He was ACTUALLY my proxy companion for a day when I was companionless for those LONG 2 weeks. He asked me how I was doing- and told me he though for SURE I was already home, married, with 2 kids!! We laughed and I said "NO! I still have 9 months left!!" He told me I'd better come finish my Mission in Olmstead so we can be companions again. :) After the Temple, we went to CRUMBS (best CUPCAKE house in Manhattan, if you'll remember...) and I bought a bunch of WONDERFUL FATTY FOOD!! After that, we drove to a little mini-restaurant-style place thing called "Crepes on Colombia." OH MY WORD it was so GOOD!! I got a "Turkey Breast with White Peach Creame Sauce!" THEN we ate nutella crepes that gave me CRAZY flashbacks of FRANCE! Gabrielli Machiavelli who lives in a DELI!! Bahaha last P-Day we went to a PARK and swung on a donut swing and ate fruit sorbet until we were sick. Success.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I BOUGHT SOME GIRL SCOUT COOKIES FROM A GIRL IN OUR WARD AND THEY ARE COMING ON THE 27th OF MARCH! HOORAY!
This past week Elder Fotu and I taught an INCREDIBLE man from the Dominican Republic. He lives in Elmsford, the part of our area that is closer to White Plains- and has lived here for almost 20 years. Turns out he know one of the Members from the Branch back in the DR- they lived in the same neighborhood in Santo Domingo and knew each other pretty well. His name is Rudy- and the Spirit around him is SO strong. Yesterday we went to visit him at his house- and turns out he lives with 2 other small Mexican Families (WHO, btw, he has invited to church with him and say they are coming) and already had a copy of the Book of Mormon; a member in Manhattan gave it to him years ago when he was having some family struggles. He told us that he used to read the Book of Mormon before and it brought him peace during those hard times- he just didn't know we were an actual organized religion. We taught him the Restoration. He cried and told us how special it felt to hear what we were talking about and how it felt familiar. When I extended a commitment to read the Book of Mormon and pray to Heavenly Father to know if it is true or not, he looked at me hard in the eyes and said quietly "Elder, te prometo que yo lo hare." Which means directly translated "Elder, I promise you that I will do it." It was such a powerful moment for me to see his new-found dedication to truly study and pray about the Book of Mormon!
We had a GREAT stake-conference down in Kingsbridge on Sunday! It was so good. We attended the Spanish session at noon (along with the other 30 Spanish missionaries in the stake) and President Rasband of the Presidency of the 70 came! It was such a touching experience. Right before the second hymn, President Bench (stake president) stood up and asked the Missionaries to come sit on the stand behind him and the other speakers becuase the chapel was SO full that there were many people without seats! We set a new record of attendance in the stake too! :) So all us Missionaries sat behind President Rasband and President Bench and their wives and the other speakers and the congregation stood and sang together- and tears welled up in my eyes at the intense feeling of Love that filled the Chapel. President Rasband stood and tearfully told the Missionaries how much he loved us (He said was a little biased towards US specifically, because he served here in NY NY North as Mission President a few years back..) and spoke powerfully about Jesus Christ's Atonement.
~~This coming week we are having an ePic zone confERence to discuss with ours and the StaMford and Yorktown Zones about what we as mISSionarIes learned frOm and what we are Now goinG to tRy to do About the thiNgs thaT Elder Bednar camE and discusseD with us. aH yEs, a veRy wisE friend of mIne reCently underscOred Mostly how I fEel about Elder Bednar- speaking Basically for the Young adults my friend said "he just gets Us." ~~ Sister Dunagan and I are going to sing a rather "Gospelesque" style version of the song All Creatures of Our God and King! We are excited!
I love you all very much. Wishing you a WARM week full of SUN and SPRING!
All My Love!
Elder Hellberg
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 2!
AS OF TODAY I have been a Missionary for 15 months! CCCCRAZY!!!
THIS week has been AWESOME.
Quick highlites and points..
ELDER BEDNAR of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came and spoke to us- just the Missionaries. It was such a special experience for everyone. The Spirit was SO strong and we all learned SO much. Also, with him came Elder Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy and he spoke too, along with President Smith, President of our Mission. It was the most Spiritually motivating and encouraging meeting I have ever attended. Hands down. We all left that meeting inspired and encouraged- and having a new perspective on many of the aspects of Missionary Work.
The Weather is OFFICIALLY picking up (for real this time) and it's WONDERFUL! Windows down, breeze in your hair, EFY music blasting in the background... (okay not blasting... more like playing lightly... but that sounds lame haha) and the Sun is finally SHINING!! Hooray! We have plans today for P-day to go to Costco (YAY BARGAIN CEREAL!) and then go to a park near our apartment and spin on one of those tire-swings until we get SICK! Then we are all (us and our district) going to have a wonderful picnic. :)
I'm not going to tell the story... but I WILL tell you two lessons learned BECAUSE of the story...
1) As it is in Utah, using freeway OFF-ramps to ENTER the freeway (even by accident) is highly frowned upon in New York.
2) Even more frowned upon, is, upon realizing that you have incorrectly entered the freeway, performing a wide U-turn ON the freeway in order to go back DOWN the exit you just entered.
Lessons Learned. :)
Elder Fotu and I continue to work hard and do good here in the Deathly Hallows! We have plans to start a small English class in a community center here to help those who don't speak English. We also have started going to the rest home where Jose is weekly and just spend some time talking with the seniors there and playing on the piano in the dining hall. We are finding many new people to teach and people are being receptive. Also, although we only have 3 member families in our area, they are proving to be our biggest source of help here. They are all fulfilling their responsibilities as Member-Missionaries and loving it!
Little shorter time this week.. next week's letter will be longer, PROMISE! :)
La Iglesia es verdadera!
All my Love!
Elder Hellberg
THIS week has been AWESOME.
Quick highlites and points..
ELDER BEDNAR of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came and spoke to us- just the Missionaries. It was such a special experience for everyone. The Spirit was SO strong and we all learned SO much. Also, with him came Elder Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy and he spoke too, along with President Smith, President of our Mission. It was the most Spiritually motivating and encouraging meeting I have ever attended. Hands down. We all left that meeting inspired and encouraged- and having a new perspective on many of the aspects of Missionary Work.
The Weather is OFFICIALLY picking up (for real this time) and it's WONDERFUL! Windows down, breeze in your hair, EFY music blasting in the background... (okay not blasting... more like playing lightly... but that sounds lame haha) and the Sun is finally SHINING!! Hooray! We have plans today for P-day to go to Costco (YAY BARGAIN CEREAL!) and then go to a park near our apartment and spin on one of those tire-swings until we get SICK! Then we are all (us and our district) going to have a wonderful picnic. :)
I'm not going to tell the story... but I WILL tell you two lessons learned BECAUSE of the story...
1) As it is in Utah, using freeway OFF-ramps to ENTER the freeway (even by accident) is highly frowned upon in New York.
2) Even more frowned upon, is, upon realizing that you have incorrectly entered the freeway, performing a wide U-turn ON the freeway in order to go back DOWN the exit you just entered.
Lessons Learned. :)
Elder Fotu and I continue to work hard and do good here in the Deathly Hallows! We have plans to start a small English class in a community center here to help those who don't speak English. We also have started going to the rest home where Jose is weekly and just spend some time talking with the seniors there and playing on the piano in the dining hall. We are finding many new people to teach and people are being receptive. Also, although we only have 3 member families in our area, they are proving to be our biggest source of help here. They are all fulfilling their responsibilities as Member-Missionaries and loving it!
Little shorter time this week.. next week's letter will be longer, PROMISE! :)
La Iglesia es verdadera!
All my Love!
Elder Hellberg
Thursday, February 24, 2011
FEB 23 2011
Remember how in my last Email, I blabbered off about how wonderful the weather is and how beautiful everything is becoming and yadda yadda yadda? Yeah. Fail. It's back to 21 degrees and snowing. SO back on with the gloves and hats and scarves (scarfs?... hmm...) and big puffy make-me-look-fatter-than-I-am-which-is-already-pretty-fatty coats. Ahem.
HELLO! FROM ANOTHER EPIC WEEK here in The Deathly Hallows! (Missionary Dubbed name for my area. I think it's catchy.)
Although things are cold again, things are going well for us here in the AREA! YAY! We have officially implemented the "UNSTOPPABLE PATTI PLAN," which is a Missionary/Member operation we invented with one of the Members here in our area, named Patti! She's AWESOME. She actually served here in the NYNYN Mission a while back- and then came back, married and had a family here in the same area she served in for the majority of her Mission! He family is incredible. Their family and us two are working with many of the Dominican Families here- primarily the youth. Patti is the Young Women's President in the Branch, and her husband, Arturo, is the Young Men's President. Works out perfectly. :) We're so excited to work together!
BAHAHAH! Okay Daddy, this is for you! You're going to hear this ONCE. SO LISTEN UP! I AM TRULY learning and understanding some of the COMMON emotions you must have felt having me as a Son. Here's why.
About a week ago, I was making a scrapbook thing for another Elder, and I went to my desk for my Scissors. I couldn't find them- for about 15 minutes I searched, and to no avail. I asked my companion if he had seen them, he told me he used them, but he put them back. I went back to searching, and about 25 minutes later found them in HIS drawer in HIS DESK. I took them back to my desk and (a little frustratedly) began to work on the scrapbook. I opened the drawer where my glue stick NORMALLY would be, and like the scissors, it was missing. I asked my companion if he had seen it. SAME response as the scissors. I looked around for about 10 MORE minutes- and found MY glue stick hidden in the corner behind HIS desk. I said to him very sternly, "ELDER, look, I DON'T CARE if you use my things- as long as you PUT THEM BACK WHERE THEY GO WHEN YOU ARE DONE." I walked about 5 feet away- and started laughing HYSTERICALLY. I heard the EXACT same words come out of MY MOUTH in the EXACT same tone that I have heard from you my whole life!!!
Another Incident- IRONICALLY this morning.
So, about 2 weeks ago, I bought a new ECKO unlmtd black jacket from the Burlington Coat Factory in White Plains... with the Intent of wearing it proselyting. After the first day I wore it, I felt it might not be appropriate for everyday Missionary work... it looked a little too COOL to be a "Missionary Jacket." So, I decided to put my brand new jacket in the closet and use it only on P-days. A few days later, one of the Elders I live with, found the Jacket in my closet, and brought it to me and asked "Hey Hellberg, can I wear this jacket today? It's pretty cool!" I thought it over... and reluctantly said "Yes.." and then threw the conditions on "I want it back on my desk by 9:30! That night it was on my desk at 9:30. Pretty good, I thought. THE NEXT DAY, he asked AGAIN if he could wear it. I said "yes" again, because he was SO good to return my jacket to me the previous day. I said again "put it back when you are done!" He mumbled okay, and that was that. I forgot about it for a few days, until TODAY, which is P-DAY. I got up, got dressed and excitedly went to my Closet to put on my BRAND NEW ECKO jacket to wear for P-day... and it wasn't there. I went to The other Elder's room... and they had already left for laundry. I was FUMED. THE ONE DAY I get to wear my BRAND NEW JACKET and he, WITHOUT returning it to me, TAKES THE LIBERTY of KEEPING it... I called and they had already left for the day, and we weren't going to see them for the rest of the day. We drove to the Laundromat and I silently (like you do) chewed him out all the way there... WHEN SUDDENLY I realized how familiar this situation was.. except that I had always been on the other END!! BAHAH! You are getting your SWEET SWEET revenge without even being here to witness it!! I do so many things like you! It's a little unnerving... But I truly hope I can be SOMEWHAT as grand as my dad! He's the best :-)
This Friday our Mission has an incredible opportunity- Elder Bednar of the 12 Apostles is coming to meet with our Missionaries, in a Question/Answer type setting. I still remember vividly the Youth Conference of 2009 with the NSL Stake when Elder Bednar came. That special meeting was one of the many experiences that helped me decide to serve a Mission and prepared me to enter the MTC 6 months later. HOW truly cool it is to be able to, 20 months later, have the same type meeting during my Mission with the SAME Apostle who was so influential in my decision and dedication to serve.
Time still continues to shock me. It's ALREADY Feb 23- this time last year I was settling into my apartment in the Bronx, getting to know my trainer Elder Richardson. SO much has happened since then. (Oh yeah, and Happy Birthday Richie! On the 17th I think!) My posterity is going to HATE me- I keep an AWFUL journal... I'll skip a few months, then write fervently for 3 weeks straight... when my habit of Journal-writing tanks again.. Forgive me, Great Great Grandchildren! :S
I love you all SO much. Thank you for all you do. Please be safe and strong and happy and well!
The Church is TRUE!
ALL MY LOVE!
Elder Brandon Hellberg
HELLO! FROM ANOTHER EPIC WEEK here in The Deathly Hallows! (Missionary Dubbed name for my area. I think it's catchy.)
Although things are cold again, things are going well for us here in the AREA! YAY! We have officially implemented the "UNSTOPPABLE PATTI PLAN," which is a Missionary/Member operation we invented with one of the Members here in our area, named Patti! She's AWESOME. She actually served here in the NYNYN Mission a while back- and then came back, married and had a family here in the same area she served in for the majority of her Mission! He family is incredible. Their family and us two are working with many of the Dominican Families here- primarily the youth. Patti is the Young Women's President in the Branch, and her husband, Arturo, is the Young Men's President. Works out perfectly. :) We're so excited to work together!
BAHAHAH! Okay Daddy, this is for you! You're going to hear this ONCE. SO LISTEN UP! I AM TRULY learning and understanding some of the COMMON emotions you must have felt having me as a Son. Here's why.
About a week ago, I was making a scrapbook thing for another Elder, and I went to my desk for my Scissors. I couldn't find them- for about 15 minutes I searched, and to no avail. I asked my companion if he had seen them, he told me he used them, but he put them back. I went back to searching, and about 25 minutes later found them in HIS drawer in HIS DESK. I took them back to my desk and (a little frustratedly) began to work on the scrapbook. I opened the drawer where my glue stick NORMALLY would be, and like the scissors, it was missing. I asked my companion if he had seen it. SAME response as the scissors. I looked around for about 10 MORE minutes- and found MY glue stick hidden in the corner behind HIS desk. I said to him very sternly, "ELDER, look, I DON'T CARE if you use my things- as long as you PUT THEM BACK WHERE THEY GO WHEN YOU ARE DONE." I walked about 5 feet away- and started laughing HYSTERICALLY. I heard the EXACT same words come out of MY MOUTH in the EXACT same tone that I have heard from you my whole life!!!
Another Incident- IRONICALLY this morning.
So, about 2 weeks ago, I bought a new ECKO unlmtd black jacket from the Burlington Coat Factory in White Plains... with the Intent of wearing it proselyting. After the first day I wore it, I felt it might not be appropriate for everyday Missionary work... it looked a little too COOL to be a "Missionary Jacket." So, I decided to put my brand new jacket in the closet and use it only on P-days. A few days later, one of the Elders I live with, found the Jacket in my closet, and brought it to me and asked "Hey Hellberg, can I wear this jacket today? It's pretty cool!" I thought it over... and reluctantly said "Yes.." and then threw the conditions on "I want it back on my desk by 9:30! That night it was on my desk at 9:30. Pretty good, I thought. THE NEXT DAY, he asked AGAIN if he could wear it. I said "yes" again, because he was SO good to return my jacket to me the previous day. I said again "put it back when you are done!" He mumbled okay, and that was that. I forgot about it for a few days, until TODAY, which is P-DAY. I got up, got dressed and excitedly went to my Closet to put on my BRAND NEW ECKO jacket to wear for P-day... and it wasn't there. I went to The other Elder's room... and they had already left for laundry. I was FUMED. THE ONE DAY I get to wear my BRAND NEW JACKET and he, WITHOUT returning it to me, TAKES THE LIBERTY of KEEPING it... I called and they had already left for the day, and we weren't going to see them for the rest of the day. We drove to the Laundromat and I silently (like you do) chewed him out all the way there... WHEN SUDDENLY I realized how familiar this situation was.. except that I had always been on the other END!! BAHAH! You are getting your SWEET SWEET revenge without even being here to witness it!! I do so many things like you! It's a little unnerving... But I truly hope I can be SOMEWHAT as grand as my dad! He's the best :-)
This Friday our Mission has an incredible opportunity- Elder Bednar of the 12 Apostles is coming to meet with our Missionaries, in a Question/Answer type setting. I still remember vividly the Youth Conference of 2009 with the NSL Stake when Elder Bednar came. That special meeting was one of the many experiences that helped me decide to serve a Mission and prepared me to enter the MTC 6 months later. HOW truly cool it is to be able to, 20 months later, have the same type meeting during my Mission with the SAME Apostle who was so influential in my decision and dedication to serve.
Time still continues to shock me. It's ALREADY Feb 23- this time last year I was settling into my apartment in the Bronx, getting to know my trainer Elder Richardson. SO much has happened since then. (Oh yeah, and Happy Birthday Richie! On the 17th I think!) My posterity is going to HATE me- I keep an AWFUL journal... I'll skip a few months, then write fervently for 3 weeks straight... when my habit of Journal-writing tanks again.. Forgive me, Great Great Grandchildren! :S
I love you all SO much. Thank you for all you do. Please be safe and strong and happy and well!
The Church is TRUE!
ALL MY LOVE!
Elder Brandon Hellberg
FEB 16 2011
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! (hahaha I had to re-type this opening line after I realized I put 'HAPPY THANKSGIVING!' I'm glad I caught it! hahah! ...silly...)
ANYWHO! Things are going mah-velously! The weather here is picking right up! It's all FRESH and bright! I'm rockin' the aviator sunglasses (only while driving... promise.) and it's JUST about warm enough to lose the big heavy winter artillery coats and wear our normal suit jackets!! HooRAY!!
This past week has gone so well! Elder Fotu and I have found some great new people we are teaching. One is named Marosi- she is from the Dominican Republic, but has lived in SPAIN for the past 4 years and has adopted the "Theta"... all C's with an 'e' or 'i' after them and all Z's sound like the consonant sound "th". So "Gracias" sounds like "Grathias". It's cool! Our Branch President speaks that way too- as he lived in Spain for 11 years after serving his Mission in MEXICO! Marosi is 15 years old, and LOVES the Young Women program. She's already been reading the Personal Progress and has gone to a Stake Dance! So cool. We had a touching Family Home Evening with her and a family in our branch- she is very excited and receptive to the Gospel.
On Friday, the 25th, ELDER DAVID A BEDNAR of the 12 is coming to SPEAK WITH US! Just the Missionaries! In a question / answer setting! And I'm playing the ORGAN! AHH! hahaha! Numbers 5 and 6! High on a mountain top, and Reedemer of IsraeL! I'm nervous- but excited! :)
Haha today Elder Fotu and I went to the Beach in our area- right on the Hudson river. It basically looks like a picturesque alien landscape. A lot is frozen- but the parts that aren't are riddled with big (1-3 feet across) discs of ice that have been well rounded from bumping into each other. There are THOUSANDS of them, pulsating with the waves of the river- it looks SO cool. PLUS, Elder Fotu and I practiced good stress-relief techniques: throwing HEAVY ice chunks off the Pier, knocking down HUGE icicles, drawing in the sand and making sand/ice castles, jumping off of rocks, taking pictures of distant Manhattan from the dock, and trying to communicate with the shivering ducks. The only part that caused me to be disturbed a bit was when Elder Fotu had a 45 minute conversation with a bamboo reed. Hmmmm. :) It was a succesful P-Day activity.
A few days ago, Elder Knuth and I went on a Split in MY area, Sleepy Hollow. As you are on the freeway heading TOWARDS the area, you HAVE to take EXIT 9, or you will CROSS the Tappan Zee Bridge across the Hudson river and into Rockland County, and LEAVE MISSION BOUNDARIES!! AHHH!! So... I've been extra careful to MAKE SURE and take EXIT 9. It's been kind of a common joke... "Hey, you wanna get outta this place and meet up with the New Jersey Elders today..?"... Of course we would never really do that.... BUT- on this split with Elder Knuth- we were on our way to dinner, and the GPS led us this random route I'd never been on before, going towards the freeway. I figured my little Garmin buddy knew what he was doin, so I followed... SUDDENLY I realized we were merging with 4 lanes of traffic... and about a quarter mile STRAIGHT in front of us was the GIANT GLOWING FRAME of the Tappan Zee. FAIL. WIth no other turn around points, we were FORCED to cross the bridge (which, was actually pretty cool- AMAZING veiws of the Empire State Building..). I'm pretty sure the GPS the Mission Office gave us, ONLY WORKS in Mission Boundaries... and has a Tracking Device in it... becuase ONCE we got to the other side, the GPS lost service and a little flashing sign in the corner turned RED. Elder Knuth and I were SURE that we were going to shortly hear the whirling of the blades on President Smith's Helicopter. Anywho. It took us 25 mintues to get UNLOST and find our way BACK to the bridge, cross it again, and pay the 5$ toll. Luckily, we weren't late for Dinner. :)
All is going well with the people we are teaching. We continue to visit Jose and his family- and many other wonderful people. I feel so blessed to be here at this time. We are knocking doors and teaching and learning and laughing and awaiting the beauty of SPRING. We got transfer calls last night, and Elder Fotu and I are both up again for round 2 here in the Deathly Hallows! Wish us luck!
Love you all so MUCH! Be safe!
The Church is TRUE!
All is well!
Elder Hellberg
ANYWHO! Things are going mah-velously! The weather here is picking right up! It's all FRESH and bright! I'm rockin' the aviator sunglasses (only while driving... promise.) and it's JUST about warm enough to lose the big heavy winter artillery coats and wear our normal suit jackets!! HooRAY!!
This past week has gone so well! Elder Fotu and I have found some great new people we are teaching. One is named Marosi- she is from the Dominican Republic, but has lived in SPAIN for the past 4 years and has adopted the "Theta"... all C's with an 'e' or 'i' after them and all Z's sound like the consonant sound "th". So "Gracias" sounds like "Grathias". It's cool! Our Branch President speaks that way too- as he lived in Spain for 11 years after serving his Mission in MEXICO! Marosi is 15 years old, and LOVES the Young Women program. She's already been reading the Personal Progress and has gone to a Stake Dance! So cool. We had a touching Family Home Evening with her and a family in our branch- she is very excited and receptive to the Gospel.
On Friday, the 25th, ELDER DAVID A BEDNAR of the 12 is coming to SPEAK WITH US! Just the Missionaries! In a question / answer setting! And I'm playing the ORGAN! AHH! hahaha! Numbers 5 and 6! High on a mountain top, and Reedemer of IsraeL! I'm nervous- but excited! :)
Haha today Elder Fotu and I went to the Beach in our area- right on the Hudson river. It basically looks like a picturesque alien landscape. A lot is frozen- but the parts that aren't are riddled with big (1-3 feet across) discs of ice that have been well rounded from bumping into each other. There are THOUSANDS of them, pulsating with the waves of the river- it looks SO cool. PLUS, Elder Fotu and I practiced good stress-relief techniques: throwing HEAVY ice chunks off the Pier, knocking down HUGE icicles, drawing in the sand and making sand/ice castles, jumping off of rocks, taking pictures of distant Manhattan from the dock, and trying to communicate with the shivering ducks. The only part that caused me to be disturbed a bit was when Elder Fotu had a 45 minute conversation with a bamboo reed. Hmmmm. :) It was a succesful P-Day activity.
A few days ago, Elder Knuth and I went on a Split in MY area, Sleepy Hollow. As you are on the freeway heading TOWARDS the area, you HAVE to take EXIT 9, or you will CROSS the Tappan Zee Bridge across the Hudson river and into Rockland County, and LEAVE MISSION BOUNDARIES!! AHHH!! So... I've been extra careful to MAKE SURE and take EXIT 9. It's been kind of a common joke... "Hey, you wanna get outta this place and meet up with the New Jersey Elders today..?"... Of course we would never really do that.... BUT- on this split with Elder Knuth- we were on our way to dinner, and the GPS led us this random route I'd never been on before, going towards the freeway. I figured my little Garmin buddy knew what he was doin, so I followed... SUDDENLY I realized we were merging with 4 lanes of traffic... and about a quarter mile STRAIGHT in front of us was the GIANT GLOWING FRAME of the Tappan Zee. FAIL. WIth no other turn around points, we were FORCED to cross the bridge (which, was actually pretty cool- AMAZING veiws of the Empire State Building..). I'm pretty sure the GPS the Mission Office gave us, ONLY WORKS in Mission Boundaries... and has a Tracking Device in it... becuase ONCE we got to the other side, the GPS lost service and a little flashing sign in the corner turned RED. Elder Knuth and I were SURE that we were going to shortly hear the whirling of the blades on President Smith's Helicopter. Anywho. It took us 25 mintues to get UNLOST and find our way BACK to the bridge, cross it again, and pay the 5$ toll. Luckily, we weren't late for Dinner. :)
All is going well with the people we are teaching. We continue to visit Jose and his family- and many other wonderful people. I feel so blessed to be here at this time. We are knocking doors and teaching and learning and laughing and awaiting the beauty of SPRING. We got transfer calls last night, and Elder Fotu and I are both up again for round 2 here in the Deathly Hallows! Wish us luck!
Love you all so MUCH! Be safe!
The Church is TRUE!
All is well!
Elder Hellberg
2/9
FEB 9 2011
BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!! The crazy blizzard weather has finally calmed down... but now it is just COLD!!! Yesterday we went knocking doors in 9 degree weather! (I bet Elder Bitner is probably colder in Moscow though...?)
Anyway! Hello!
I can't believe how fast this cycle went by. Transfers are already next week! Time is crazy weird.
We are reading the Book of Mormon as a Mission right now- we are on 2 Nephi 10. It's such a cool thing when you have 140 Missionaries all reading and talking about the same stories and experiences in the Book of Mormon at the same time. It's almost as if we are following a TV series together... we read in the Morning and throughout the week talk about what we read. You are all welcome to read WITH us!! :D This week's reading is 2 Nephi 10-17!!
I had such a sweet experience this last week. We are teaching a part-member family in our area, they are from the Dominican Republic. The son and one of the daughters are Members, and a few siblings and the parents are not. We visited the mom, and she tearfully told us her story of the past 6 months. Her husband and her recently decided to get married after living together for nearly 30 years. Shortly thereafter he had a terrible series of 4 strokes, and is currently living at a rest home. He cannot walk, speaks jumbled and very slowly, is nearly blind, and can't remember much. After visiting his wife, we decided to go to the rest home and see him. His name is Jose. We went inside and found him in the 'Day Room', alone in a corner in his wheel chair, hunched over, wearing a blue Yankees cap. We slowly walked over to him, and I knelt by him and asked if he was Jose. He said yes, and I told him we were Missionaries. I talked to him a little about the Dominican Republic, the Yankees, and what he used to do for work. He was fairly hard to understand, but we were able to talk openly. I asked him if he had a family here- he began to sob, and said yes. I put my hand on his shoulder and I asked him about them, and he told me how he loved them. I began to cry. I asked him if he believes in God. He began to shake a little, and after about 10 seconds his brow furled and he began to cry harder and said "Si." I said I did too. I told him about his family and how God had a plan for them- and that he could be with them again after this life. We just cried and talked together for about 20 minutes. It was such a special moment for me. I sang to him "Abide with me: 'tis eventide", we talked a bit more, and he asked us to come back and visit him often.
I love this Gospel. I have seen such an increase in Faith not only in those we teach but also in myself. I am beginning to understand more fully the Love that God has for me by the love and goodness he shows others through his servants. I love the Book of Mormon. Reading it is the sure way to grow faith and become secure in the foundation of the Lord. I love the Savior. I have felt His support- when I am discouraged and cold and grumpy, feeling alone on a frozen doorstep- my companion and I pray, and the Lord always picks us back up and helps us to get going again.
That being said,
I'm hoping the temperature will pick up soon!!! Ahh!
The Church is TRUE!- EVEN when it's Missionaries are frozen!!
All my love,
Elder Brandon Hellberg
BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!! The crazy blizzard weather has finally calmed down... but now it is just COLD!!! Yesterday we went knocking doors in 9 degree weather! (I bet Elder Bitner is probably colder in Moscow though...?)
Anyway! Hello!
I can't believe how fast this cycle went by. Transfers are already next week! Time is crazy weird.
We are reading the Book of Mormon as a Mission right now- we are on 2 Nephi 10. It's such a cool thing when you have 140 Missionaries all reading and talking about the same stories and experiences in the Book of Mormon at the same time. It's almost as if we are following a TV series together... we read in the Morning and throughout the week talk about what we read. You are all welcome to read WITH us!! :D This week's reading is 2 Nephi 10-17!!
I had such a sweet experience this last week. We are teaching a part-member family in our area, they are from the Dominican Republic. The son and one of the daughters are Members, and a few siblings and the parents are not. We visited the mom, and she tearfully told us her story of the past 6 months. Her husband and her recently decided to get married after living together for nearly 30 years. Shortly thereafter he had a terrible series of 4 strokes, and is currently living at a rest home. He cannot walk, speaks jumbled and very slowly, is nearly blind, and can't remember much. After visiting his wife, we decided to go to the rest home and see him. His name is Jose. We went inside and found him in the 'Day Room', alone in a corner in his wheel chair, hunched over, wearing a blue Yankees cap. We slowly walked over to him, and I knelt by him and asked if he was Jose. He said yes, and I told him we were Missionaries. I talked to him a little about the Dominican Republic, the Yankees, and what he used to do for work. He was fairly hard to understand, but we were able to talk openly. I asked him if he had a family here- he began to sob, and said yes. I put my hand on his shoulder and I asked him about them, and he told me how he loved them. I began to cry. I asked him if he believes in God. He began to shake a little, and after about 10 seconds his brow furled and he began to cry harder and said "Si." I said I did too. I told him about his family and how God had a plan for them- and that he could be with them again after this life. We just cried and talked together for about 20 minutes. It was such a special moment for me. I sang to him "Abide with me: 'tis eventide", we talked a bit more, and he asked us to come back and visit him often.
I love this Gospel. I have seen such an increase in Faith not only in those we teach but also in myself. I am beginning to understand more fully the Love that God has for me by the love and goodness he shows others through his servants. I love the Book of Mormon. Reading it is the sure way to grow faith and become secure in the foundation of the Lord. I love the Savior. I have felt His support- when I am discouraged and cold and grumpy, feeling alone on a frozen doorstep- my companion and I pray, and the Lord always picks us back up and helps us to get going again.
That being said,
I'm hoping the temperature will pick up soon!!! Ahh!
The Church is TRUE!- EVEN when it's Missionaries are frozen!!
All my love,
Elder Brandon Hellberg
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
feb 2
Good Evening HOME!!
ANOTHER important date has come and gone! I, as of today, (February 2nd, 2011), have been in New York for 1 YEAR. AHH! I still can remember my emotions 365 days ago as I walked off the plane into the brisk air around JFK Int'l Airport... Going to the Mission Home... Meeting my first companion and Trainer... hearing I was going to be serving in the Bronx!! Time has been so strange to me. All those things feel SO distant… but I can remember them as if they were last week- and it feels like only mere months have gone by, not a whole calendar year.
It is SO cold!! The cars have been grounded all day until now because of the America-wide arctic BLAST- we've had awful freezing rain! No joke, our parking lot looked like an ICE-SKATING-RINK. It's been very cold! I have no idea how the rest of the country is doing, but I heard it's a huge storm- and that basically everywhere is gettin' it pretty bad! How has the big terrible storm hit Utah? I hope everyone is warm and safe!!
I have gotten a few of your letters! Thank you so much. I know I'm a Lame-sauce writer-backer, but I am so grateful for your love and support! I never feel forgotten! :) Things are improving here. :) I can feel your prayers combined with MY prayers- and they are working! :D
We had Dinner at President’s house- just 8 of us Missionaries- it was SO great. We ate with him and Sister Smith- then went to the living room of the Mission Home and had a big long open discussion about the ups and downs of the Mission. We got to ask anything and he was so friendly and fun - he's pretty professional when he's up in front of the whole mission- but I love it in interviews or smaller meetings- he is such a great guy- (reminds me of DAD!)
In a few Sundays, it'll be Missionary Sunday- and we're going to give talks! :S Excited/Nervous!
We are teaching some incredible people right now. Most of them are from the Dominican Republic, a few from Ecuador! Most of them we have found through knocking doors! It's such a blessing to be able to be invited into someone's house and share our message with them- for the first time! One of the Dominican families we are teaching has 6 OTHER families related to them living in the nearby areas- and we are teaching MOST of them! Haha! And one of the ladies related is actually already an active member in the Branch!
Hey- just got the call! Gotta leave right now to go home, cars grounded again!
I love you, please be happy and warm! Love you!!!
I am so grateful to be a part of this work. I know that what I am doing as a Missionary is what the Lord wants me to do- and I LOVE doing it.
The Church is TRUE!
B safe! B Warm! B fighting the STORM!!
Always,
Elder Brandon Hellberg
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