Elder Johnathon D. Berghout

26 September 2010

2010-09-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Ha ha. . Yeah I got mall the flight plans today!!! We had a good week this week. . .but I'll be home in a bit so I'll tell you about it when I get there ha ha. . . I love the Mission!!!!!!

Matt is really doing awesome!!! All the stuff he is learning and practicing right now is stuff we just started doing about three months ago and the experiences are really awesome the way the spirit teaches, instead of us!!!

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

See you next Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

20 September 2010

2010-09-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!!

This week went really good!!! My comp. is all better and this week we went to spend p-day with some missionaries in another part of the zone and then we did divisions. We had a ton of success and we got one elder really excited!!! I went out with him on splits for the three hours after p-day on Monday and then all day Tuesday. Just on Monday alone, we entered in 5 houses and taught lessons and then found 5 new people and with 2 of them put baptismal dates and following up with the elder, they are progressing pretty good!!! Then on Tuesday, we entered another 2 houses and taught lessons finding another 4 people, It was really awesome!!! At the end of the divisions, we were waiting for a taxi to arrive and he commented that they were the best divisions he had ever had in the mission!!! I'm glad that he is really excited now!!!

We also came back and worked really hard in our area and we found some new people too, but we'll see how it goes---it's really hard to find people the second time in our area.

Yeah, I heard from Matt, ha Ha!!!

Great(he has a dentist appt. set already), yeah my teeth are going to need a good cleaning, I've really tried to do all I can to keep them clean and from getting cavities.

(When asked what he wanted for his first dinner home) I want my favorite. . .if you still rememeber . . .ha ha. . BBQ Chicken!!! If it's alright!!!!

You'll have to tell Steven Smith hi for me and that we'll have to get together when I get back!!!
(Steven gets home 2 weeks before Johnny)
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

15 September 2010

2010-09-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Dave called the Salt Lake Mission Office, since we hadn't heard anything as to Johnny's release date or flight plans. They had sent his itinerary 4 weeks ago to the wrong email address!!!!
Johnny will leave his area right after the last session of Conference October 4 and travel to Neuquen and then to Buenos Aires and then leave there on the 5th and arrive home in Salt Lake City Oct. 6th around 10 am.
Elder Johnathon D. Berghout will have his Homecoming October 17th @ 9 am. 26th and Jackson. You are all invited (Lunch around 12 noon)

13 September 2010

2010-09-15T15:15:00.001-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

I'm doing good, I was really disanimiado this week with my comp. being sick still and there aren't members that can just do divisions with us so that I could work the whole time. I desire to work so much and not being able to as much as i would like has really been hard but now my comp. is better and hopefully doesn't get sick again so that we can work as much as possible these last couple of weeks.

We did teach one investigator and he came to church so this week we are going to put a baptismal date for the 3rd of October so that he can see the Conference and then get baptized!!!!

The truth, I haven't heard anything either yet. . . I thought that I would get it(travel intinerary) this week but , nope and hopefully next week it comes but if not I guess I'll just stay here, Ha Ha!!! JK...I'm ready to come home when it's time.

Anyways that's just about it...
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

8 September 2010

2010-09-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Wow, HaHa. . . seems like just yesterday, I was going into the MTC. Matt is going to love it!!! The MTC is so awesome!!!! How many weeks is he there? When will he be in Texas?
That's so awesome the change that comes from leaving for the mission!!!!

I remember those videos (One of the group of missionaries singing in the MTC), you guys should have them too .. . either in the cd that I sent home or when I sent the memory card home!!! When does steven get back? He should be getting back soon if he is not already back!

This week has been really hard. . .my comp. has been sick for like the whole week so the only time I've left to go teaching and tracting is when a member is with him and another with me which is really hard cause there aren't very many that can leave with us... It really stinks not being able to do much...We get so used to always doing things as missionaries that when we aren't doing something its wierd. It will probably be like that when I get back from the mission...I want to work so bad these last weeks, its so hard not being able to with my companion sick.

Anyways that just about it....
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

30 August 2010

2010-09-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Ha Ha. . .When Matt gets back from the mission, it will be exactly opposite (speaking)...it will be trying to get him to use only 10 minutes. . . I know cause thats how I am now ha ha. . . so many things to teach from the scriptures and the things that one learns that you can't fit that all you want to say in.
It's okay ha ha . . .don't worry about sending my card. Mine won't expire til the end of September so I'll be okay not needing it for the time that I travel cause I saved like 100 dollars through the whole mission so that I would have it to get some food or something in the airport coming back home and then when I get back, I'll have the new card there.
Anyways it was kind of a slow week again. Not too much happened, we just knocked doors all week and like maybe one or two people let us in. . . I don't always understand why things are so slow at times. . . it doesn't bug me though, I just keep on happily working but my comp on the other hand doesn't take it quite as well, he isn't too excited about the area. . .It's hard at times, trying to get him to work with a little more faith that something will come of our work.
That's just about it.
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

23 August 2010

2010-09-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,
Wow that's crazy(kids going back to school), It seems like they just got out of school!!!
So did Matt go up (hunting), just him and Jared, or did they go up with Rick and Blake again?
I didn't know that Keon was doing Gymnastics, you should have him do hip hop and break dancing!!!

Dad hasn't wrote me yet. . .but yeah I'll take the job there until I can get something else. Will it be in the same part of distribution or another part?

Well this week was a long one, not much happened but on Monday and Tuesday, we went to do divisions with two different companionships and it rained and snowed both days and we weren't prepared ofr that cause it has been really nice before we left. . . It's okay though cause we did enter a shop to buy facturas--they are like little donuts--and we talked with a lady that was really awesome so we left there with a new investigator.

Then on Friday, we had an activity for the ward and not very many people came. We were really bumbed but the Bishop and one councelor and his family came and we taught about the Book of Mormon and it really helped them realize the importance of the Book of Mormon. . . even the Bishop got up in sacrament meeting and shared a bit and told all the members that they had really missed out those that didn't come to the activity. That was the first time I've seen a bishop be so sincere when he said something like that. . .You know how before , the ward was just really cold and the people really closed, we definetly got hte confidence of the Bishop with this activity and I think now, hopefully, we can transmit it to the members and get them all excited to work in sharing the gospel!!!! Hopefully we can really get it going in these last 6 weeks!!!!
I think that's just about all!!!
Love,
Elder Johnny Berghout

16 August 2010

2010-09-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad,
Wow Matt has less than 23 days till he goes in to the MTC!!! That's so awesome!!! Do you think he'll slow down a bit before he goes?. . . Is he reading his scriptures everyday as he gets up or goes to bed, and has he started studying Preach My Gospel?

Wow You'll have to tell Matt to leave the gps programmed for Amythest so that I can go up when I get back, ha ha!!!

Wow that's awesome after about two years, I thought that I was going to get back and have to grout (the tile) myself!!! You should send some pictures, I'd love to see it. . .and then when I get back I can finish the last floor part.

We had a great week, we found 15 new people and we are really ready to start teaching. We found them while having divisions with a couple missionaries whose companions are district leaders having the same capasitation that my comp and I had the week before. I think talking about Camaros for a bit on my P-day gave my mind a bit of a break and then just got right to work!!!! Did you happen to go look at the 69 Camaro?
Anyway. . That's about it. .
Love
Your Elder Berghout

8 August 2010

2010-08-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Wow, talk about hot!!!! (at home)
It was really cold here in Zapala, we heard, but we lucked out and we were in Neuquen for some Zone leader meetings---they were really amazing....

We haven't found anyone new this week but I'm sure we are going to this week!!!! I am really excited to use what we learned in the meetings this last week!!!

I don't really need anything so don't worry (about sending a package).

Oh I almost forgot. . .While we were in Neuquen, someone broke into our apartment. Luckily the only thing that they took was my ipod. Its crazy cause all our windows have bars on them but after not being able to find my ipod, we started to check all the windows and door and someone had cut the bars on one of the windows with a hacksaw---really crazy!!!! Don't worry everything will be okay, we have already talked with someone to put better ones in. The others were kind of homemade. Ha ha---the only thing that sucks for the people that stole the ipod is that they were dumb enough not to take the cable and you can't get an ipod or cables here in Argentina so they really didn't get anything out of it, Ha ha!!!!

Anyways don't worry about me everything is great!!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

2 August 2010

2010-08-10T12:05:00.001-07:00

Hey Mom!!!!

Wow Awesome sounds like everything went great this week!!! (at home)

Ok awesome!!! (responding to the cost of Airfare to Chile) All my companions from Chile are always asking when I'm going to go (visit them in Chile) Ha ha!!!!

I think this is my hardest area, we work and work and work and things just are really slow here but don't worry, I'm still way excited. I love my comp and area and our zone is way awesome!!!! We will be going to Neuquen for three days this week so I won't be in my area almost at all. I keep on working with faith just waiting for the moment when we get people that are willing to move along.

Yeah, I'll be getting back about the 7th or 8th but you will get all the information like the first week of September, I do believe. I'm not going to get trunky---don't worry!!!!

Oh yeah. . . Tell Emily(Ballard) thanks for the email!!!! And I'll be writting a letter in return.
Anyway thats just about it. . .
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

26 July 2010

2010-07-26T15:01:00.001-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Well I didn't get an email from Emily. . .
Wow sounds like everyone is going to have some fun, ha ha!!!! (Matt, Cameron, and Jared went to the High Uintahs to hike into Red Castle and Kings Peak for a week) What car are they taking to Red Castle? (Johnny's Cherokee!!!)

Yeah, I am getting settled in and yesterday we found like three great families that we are going to be teaching!!!! This week we also did a mission plan for the ward cause it is really disorganized from other missionaries that have been here in the past and the unexcitement of the members. I'm way excited and hope that we can really turn this place around!!!!

Anyways that's just about it!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

PS I was thinking about, maybe after my mission, going to Chile to visit like a bunch of my Companions because 5 of my 8 companions are from Chile and all live close to the same place. How much would a trip to and from Chile cost?. . . I have no Clue.

19 July 2010

2010-07-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!!

Wow Ha Ha!!!
Don't worry I'm not going to get trunky. . . .all the missionaries in the zone are way awesome!!!!
My Comp is Elder Perez, he is from Peru but has lived in Chile since he was 9 years old so he is practically Chilean too!!!! We get along way good!!! i don't think the president could have picked a better pair of missionaries to be together. . . I'm not saying that we are all that, just that we get along perfect!!!

The area is super small like not even a third of my last area and the people are really cold. I haven't entered into one house this week but its okay---just keep on working!!! Oh yeah, and even the members are really cold. . . it was like no one cared that the other missionary had gone and I came!!!! Also, we had an investigator in church and it was like no one would sit next to her. . . We have a lot of work to do with the memebers here but its okay cause my last area we had to work with them too, So I'm Excited!!!
Anyways,
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

13 July 2010

2010-07-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Yeah really ita has gone by way too fast!!!

Sorry I didn't write yesterday, I got transferred to Zapala where I'm sure I'll be finshing the mission!!!! I am still a zone leader, just here in a new zone. I really am going to miss Caleta Olivia after 6 months there I really got to know the members, investigators and area really good. . . I hope some day I can go back!!!

Funny story. . . The grandma, Rosa, that we baptized. . . , Yeah, this Sunday, we told her that one of the members was going to go pick her up. And at 9:15, he still hadn't passed by and so she went walking!!! She got there without the member and we asked, "you came alone?" She replied, "yeah, it got to be 9:15 and I couldn't be late." Que capa!!!!

Anyways that's just about it!!! I'll write about my new area next week when i get there!!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

5 July 2010

2010-07-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

That's Awesome!!! Will Cameron be driving the Yellow Jeep after all?

Yeah Matt is was excited, he wrote me and said there is a ton of stuff that he wants to do before he leaves and I told him don't try to do everything, just spend time with family cause that's what I wish I would have done a bit more.

Anyways the baptism went great!!!!

On Saturday, I should be finding out where my last area should be---talk about crazy huh... Three months left . . the time goes by so fast!!!!
Love you
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

28 June 2010

2010-07-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Yeah I guess I won't be seeing Matt for another two years . . .To come back home, I think, I will be going through the airport in Houston, Texas. It is one of the coolest airports I have seen--it is huge!!! Oh yeah, tell Matt to tell his boss that I will take his job when I get back, Ha ha !!!

We will be having a baptism this Saturday for Rosa Hernandez!!!! She is awesome. . . a grandma, 78 years old and since we gave her the Book of Mormon she had not missed a day reading. Even on Father's day when she had family over all day and night, at 2:30 in the morning, she went to her room and read and then said her prayer to go to sleep!!!!

The baptism dates that we had for the following week, we are going to have to change cause they didn't come to church this week but it is ok, they are going to be ready in no time. Also, we put a baptismal date with a kid that we are teaching who is 18 years old and is already sharing with his friends the Book of Mormon and restoration!!!! He will get baptised the 31 of July.

Anyways that's just about it. . . it is great to know that the horses are doing great and the kids too!!!
Did you give Matt the Suitcase for his birthday?
Have a great week
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

22 June 2010

2010-07-15T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!!
Ha Ha!!!! I was really hoping he (Matt) would get it (mission call). . . I was so excited to hear where he would be going!!! (have to wait another week!!!) Yeah that is fine if he uses the other suitcase just so you know depending on where he serves, it may get pretty abused. His birthday is today, if you want to give it to him as a birthday present from me ha ha!!! Oh yeah and speaking of Matt receiving his papers. . . I got some of my trunky papers this last week asking me what airport i would be returning to and if you guys are going to be there to pick me up. . .thinking about going home made me really nervous. . . . I don't know. . . It's going to be weird. . .
Wow you had quite the week!!!!
With Father's day on Sunday, on Monday everything was closed so I couldn't write but everything is going great!!!! We are going to have a baptism on the 3rd of July!!!
Anyways
Love
Your Elder Berghout

14 June 2010

2010-06-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Sounds like you guys had a great week camping ha ha!!!
Our investigators are moving along great the baptism for the 26th is still going good and also for the two fot he 10th of July!!! We had five people in church this week!!!
Our investigators that ahve baptismal dates for the 10th, invited us to eat lunch with them on Saturday and we were planning on doing a little service cleaning their yard. We went to their house Saturday morning and they were still sleeping which is crazy cause Argentina was playing in the world cup Saturday morning, that's why we had planned to do service cause no one was going to be opening doors for us if we went knocking and the president said we weren't to watch it. We soon found out as they woke up that they had not slept all night because during the day, the house had been broken into while they weren't there and they were scared that they might get robbed again. Talk about the way Satan tries to ruin everything but nope!, We did the service and helped them feel better and then Sunday, they came to church!!!
Wow!!!! That will be exciting, I am excited to find out where Matt will go!!!
Yeah, i'm sure that after Cameron has his license, he'll be driving more just having to take the class and test doesn't make it sound so exciting, ha ha!!! So will the yellow jeep be his to drive when he gets his license???
I wrote the Ballards, I thought that if I wrote them, they might write on email but I haven't heard anything.
Oh yeah, it's okay, I'm sure Grandma is busy!!!! I keep meaning to write her too but trying to find the time. . . even on p-day we are running around trying to make copies or something for the zone.
Anyways that's just about it. . . everything is going great!!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

6 June 2010

2010-06-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!
Wow sounds like everything is going great!!! That's awesome that Matt ahs gotten his papers together and done his interview with the Stake President!!!
Sounds like your guys had a fun week visiting Sourdough!!!! That's crazy having a Cougar around camp.
Yeah that will be different having Dad in the Bishopbric again. . .
Everything went pretty good this week. We spent half of the week traveling to Neuquen and back for a council of zone leaders. . . Oh yeah, I'm still with the same companion, in the same area!!! We are going to have a baptism on the 26th and hopefully two more on the 3rd of July. Things are really starting to move along!!!
It's okay, I don't need duct tape. . .really I don't need anything. . .maybe send some Romen Nuddles (chicken) and more M&M's ---they don't last very long with one pack and sharing with the other Elders Ha Ha!!!! But if you don't sent anything, don't worry, I truely will live!!!
Love you all!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

26 April 2010 thru 23 May 2010

2010-06-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

26 April 2010
Hey Mom!!!!
Wow sounds like in the whole world there is tons of storms happening. In Buenos Aires where my companion's family live, they had hail the size fo tennisballs this last week.
Hopefully Matt gets his butt together to start his papers. Unless he is willing to do everything it takes with a full purpose of heart, its better that he waits until he has his ming 100% set on going. . .because in my zone right now i'm having to play mom trying to help them understand that the mission is about working and helping others ---not a two year vacation. He doesn't have to know everything or understand everything but he does have to have a desire to learn and grow and work.
The work is about the same. . . work our butts off and on Sunday no new investigators come to church. I don't understand sometimes, just wish things would just work out. It's my third transfer here and still haven't had a baptism. . . we find new awesome people every week but it just seems like everyone is as cold as the weather down here trying to get them to progress. Don't worry, we'll get through it, we are hoping to be able to put a couple baptismal dates tonight!!!!
That's about it. . .
Con Amor
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

10 May 2010
Hey Mom!!!
I'll answere all your questions when I call... I tried to call yesterday but he calling card that I had bought was obviously too new to be used here in the bottom of the world in Argentina. . . I'll be calling a bit later today. Hopefully, everyone will be in the house I know it won't be quite as easy as on a Sunday.
Love Elder Johnny Berghout

16 May 2010
Hey Mom
Yeah it was so awesome to be able to talk, sorry my time ran out and it was time to go to bed. . . I really miss you guys!!!!
That's awesome Matt is getting his papers together!!! So I probably won't see him till he gets back. . . .That will be crazy!!!!
Most of our appointments fell through and all the people that said they were going to come to church didn't come either. . . It was a real bummer week but it's okay, we just start new this week. We did have quite the experience on Wednesday, we went to to divisions on another area with two other missionaries and we couldn't communicate with them in the morning so we got there and didn't know what to do so we started knocking doors and we didn't have lunch either but while knocking a family from the Dominican Republic let us in to share a bit and they just happened to be cooking and gave us lunch ---talk about a miricle ha ha!!! The food was really good, it was a dish from the Dominican Republic.
I wrote a letter to the Ballard family so I'll be sending that off and I wrote one for Aarron Kelly but I can't send it till i have the address so int he next letter please send it!!!!
Oh yeah, the pancakes and syrup have been great!!! We eat them everyday!!!
Anyways thats about all the news for this week!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

23 May 2010
Hey Mom!!!
Well we lost our one Baptism date that we had. . . the ladies son said that he didn't want us to teach his mom and wouldn't let us talk with her either. . . We shared our testimony and also the Branch President and then we left leaving him an invitation to listen next time. . .but it's okay cause we went and put (set) one with another lady that same hour. Then later in the week we had a lesson and put another baptismal date with a 13 year old kid that we are teaching him and his mom!!!! This week we are hoping to put one with his mom too!!! Nobody made it to church again so hopefully this week.
Ha Ha. . . yeah . . . Matt has written me every week this month!!! I'm glad he is taking good care of my jeep ha ha!!!
Oh wow. . .Why did they change his (Kirt Kunzler) mission???? (visa problems)
Yeah, I will have to hang out with the Halversons when I get back cause everyone else will still be gone ha ha!!!
Anyways that's about it!!!
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

18 April 2010

2010-04-21T10:05:00.001-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Everything is great!!! Sounds like the weather is changing all over the world...Heree we are starting to get a bit colder and we have had a ton of wind!!! We worked a ton with teh members this week and it was pretty awesome--our investigators are progressing but at the same time and at a really slow rate. It's so frustrating at time when you work all week and everything has gone great and then Sunday comes and nobody comes to church, but it's ok, I'm sure things will come through in the end and it's ok we have another 6 weeks to work with them cause my comp and I are staying here for another transfer.

Sounds like the classes are going great....I'm not sure what I want to study now... but if I do decide to it will be great having help cause I don't think I remember anything.

Sounds like if Jared keeps it up he is going to pass me up (in height) too!! Ha ha. It's okay though, I don't really care for being any taller that I am---at least here in Argentina Ha ha. Everything is SHORT!!!!

Anyways that's just about it for now, Ha ha!!!!
Till next week!!!
Love,
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

11 April 2010

2010-04-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hola Mama!!!!

No se que debo decir primero. . . o debo cambiar a igles....(I don't now what to say first . . . or should change to English) Wow... I didn't know Dad had bought a Subaru... and now he's already bought a Jeep, sounds like everything is going great there!!! About my Jeep yeah sure put a lift on it but could you do 6 inches instead of 3? I would like to put the Camero together when I get back too!!!

Ok well.... this week we really worked hard and we are really trying to get the memebers working with us but you know it doesn't always work out as good as we hope....when we have lessons, it's hard to find memebers to go with us and when we have memebers to go with us we get to the lessons and the people have forgotten or aren't there like they said. Don't worry, we are progressing just it's frustrating sometimes... Don't worry I love it!!!!!

We do have people progressing and we are hoping to be able to put some baptismal date this week. We have some that are already for baptism, we are just waiting for people to do divorces so that they can get married and also one mom to decide that her daughter can get baptized. Some people are so hard at times. It's like the Book of Mormon in our days...I was just reading about Alma and Amulek this week and the people seem just as wicked these days. I'm so surprised that God just doesn't send the people of the world a plague or lighting bolt or something and wipe out all iniquity.

Anyways everything is going great!!! I was really excited to get your emails this week!!!

I love you Guys!!!!

I know that the Church is true and that the Book of Mormon is the evidence that it is true and that it is the key to our religion!!! I know that it can respond to absolutely any question that we might have!!!

As we receive blessing we should never forget what we need to be doing as memebers of the church...Don't follow the same pattern as what happened to the Nephites remembering the Lord in times of difficulty and forgetting when "all is well in Zion" or when we are receiving blessings from the Lord.

Con Mucho Amor
Les Amo!!!
Tu Elder Johnny Berghout

29 March 2010

2010-04-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! and Happy Birthday to Keon Too!!!

Yeah we had another great week this week!!! We didn't find quite as many people but the people that we found are GOLD!!!! I told Dad a bit about them in the email to him.

Our Zone is progressing too. . . little by little. . . We are all having success!!!

Sounds like a great spring break ha ha!!! Hope that finishen up the class goes great.

Nope there really is not anything that I need but I was thinking this week that I miss twissler licorice!!! and maybe you could send the recipe for pancakes, I don't remember it exactly. and how to do it for apple cinnimon too.

I think that's about it!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

Hey Dad!!!!
Yup we talk with about half of them and the other half we have passed by and not been able to find. Also this week we found two families that are awesome!!! They don't already have another religion and don't believe in anything really weird either and they believe in the basic beliefs.

I knew that Mom's birthday was this week, ha ha and Keon's too right?

The weather here has been really nice--not hot, not cold, but just right. The other day there was supposed to be a rain storm. . . We had just got to the apartment and it started to dump but about 10 minutes later it stopped. That's the only crazy weather we've had.

In another 6 months, I'll be back and I'll be able to speak last minute....or you could have Matt do it ---that way he can get to church.

Love
You Elder Berghout

15 March 2010

2010-04-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad!!!

Our days here are starting to get a little colder but I don't think we will get super cold here, but the time here doesn't change. Argentina is one of the only places that doesn't have daylight savings.

Yeah I know I got lost in the work this week and it was awesome!!! After traveling during the week to Neuquen and then coming back, we didn't get much done missionary workwise, but we got back and my comp and I worked super hard!!! This week we found 14 new investigators in 3 days of working in our area!!!

We are going to have a lot of success this transfer!!!

Love
Your Elder Berghout

7 March 2010

2010-04-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!!

Nope, My comp didn't hear anything from his family (in Chile), there hasn't been power in his part of the country so he didn't even get an email or anything, but he left yesterday for Neuquen and will be home on Tuesday so he'll hopefully be seeing them.

Wow!!! Cameron is doing awesome with the Grades!!!(maintaining 4.0 Average!!!)

I am glad the classes are going great in Anatomy!!!!

This week was pretty crazy. . .We went and saw the penguins on P-day and then during the week it was a lot of goodbyes for my comp.

I am excited to be starting a new transfer with another comp who is not going home already. . .I'll be with Elder Luengo---he will be my first comp from Argentina!!!

Anyways thats just about it for now
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

1 March 2010

2010-03-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom!!!

Everything is going great!!!! Nope I didn't feel the earthquake...I'm on the other side of the continent. Yeah, I did see some of the news reports. Some members showed us and it was a pretty bad earthquake. It effected the city where my companion lives and he'll be going home this week cause he is finishing the mission. Also, three other elders in our zone are all from the same city, so it was quite a day.

Yeah, I remember mid-terms, I'm glad I don't have to deal with that anymore. . .Well atleast for another little while.

Um, I don't know who has asked you(about packages sent/ received), but I got a card from the Ballards and a card came from the Stevens, in the stake from a bunch of girls I used to hang out with. . . that was about four weeks ago and other than that . . . nope haven't gotten anything else.

I don't know what to tell you with Matt. . . with our less active families, I like to share the story of the 10 virgins cause when Christ comes. We don't know and when he comes there won't be any more time to prepare.

Yeah, time is flying by so fast and I am getting settled in good now. I think, I've finally gotten the ropes and it's a good thing cause my comp leaves on Sunday.

Oh, yeah later today we are going to see the Penguins---So that will be fun!!!!

Love
Your Elder Berghout

21 February 2010

2010-03-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom!!!

Sounds like a crazy week.

Yeah Matt has written about every other week. . . . I wouln't mind trying to put together the Camero. . . that is if it is still around.

It's good to hear the other kids are doin good!!!

This week we had lunch with one of our investigators and the husband is a member. Out of nowhere, he said. "I'm going to get divorced with my other wife and we are going to get married so that his wife now can get baptized and they can go to the temple." Talk about a surprise!!!

Anyways that was a pretty awesome experience this week!!!

Hope everything goes good this week

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

8 February 2010

2010-02-21T14:34:00.000-08:00

Hey,

I don't have much to tell about either!!!

I'm loving being a Zone leader but I didn't sleep very good this week cause I'm always worring about the other Missionaries. (Welcome to Parenthood---Mom is smiling!!!!) It's not like I'm trying to worry about them at night---it just happens. I just couldn't relax. I feel like I never have enough energy. I'm sure I'll get use to it.

Anyways that's about it.

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout.

1 February 2010

2010-02-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,

Well the new area is huge and the people here are way awesome!!! They are so much more open to listen here!!! I don't know too much more cause I spent the week traveling to Neuquen and back for Zone Leader meetings!!! My comp is awesome. This is his last transfer but i'm going to try and keep him from getting too trunky. it is going to be a good transfer!!! We do have the acean in our area but no penquins.

Yeah it is summer here now and when I was in Bariloche it was really hot but here it is just right all the time just a lot of wind.

That's awesome that the classes are going good!!!! (Mom's)

Tell Matt not to worry about me if he feels like he is ready to go, He should get the papers going---don't just wait because of me. If he decides to go before I get back, I'll just make sure that I write him always!!!! (HINT----MATT!!!!)

Yes, I did get the Package!!! Thank you very much!!! I wore the shoes for the zone leader meeting and they were really nice!!!! And the Shoe polish really did help my other shoes!!! Oh yeah and the peanut butter and salt water taffies are great!!!!!!! Thanks, Mom

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

25 Jaunuary 2010

2010-01-27T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom!!!

We had another great week!!! We finished off the transfer this week really strong!!! We had a baptism and we put baptismal dates with 4 people this week so my comp will have baptisms for the next transfer and I will be going down a lot more south and pretty close to the ocean so maybe I will finally see some of our companions, "the Penguins" . . . .ha ha!!!!

All the people here in the branch have really gotten use to me and really were hoping that I would stay now that we have really gotten everyone excited for the missionary work now and people moving along for baptisms!!! They said if the new missionary that comes isn't as good as me, they are going to throw him in the lake. . . .ha ha!!

Anyways, I am headed to Coleta Olivia. . . . I finally started to get the things as a trainer and a district leader down pretty good and I was hoping that transfers would come and I would just go back to be a Sr. comp so that I could just focus on an area, but I guess the Mission President does receive revelation from the Lord and he probably knows best ha ha. . . . I am going down to a Jr. comp. . . BUT. . . as a Zone Leader! I am not really sure what to think but it should be exciting!!!

Anyways that's just about all for right now, I think. . . Oh yeah, I should probably have my package but they might have sent it to my new area so I won't know until I get there tomorrow.

I am glad to hear Matt is getting better with the church stuff!!! Do you know if he studied what I told him to study?

Anyways, hope the week goes good!!!!

Love you guys!!!

Miss You!!!

I know this is the work of the Lord and the best way to do it is His way!!! If not it's not his work!!! I know that the Church is true!!!!

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

17 January 2010

2010-01-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,

Haha!!! Yup I wrote him (Matt) an email and told him he should study the scriptures so he knows what all his responsibilities are as a priesthood holder, you know, since he already promised with the Lord what he would do by receiving the priesthood.

We had another awesome experience this week. . . We will be having another baptism this week!!! We have been teaching a guy named Ruben and things have been going great he is so ready for baptism but he like just wanted to wait cause the people here never feel like they know enough even though we can see how much they are growing so we tried putting a baptismal date with him for the 23rd and he wouldn't do it. He said he wanted to finish the Book of Mormon first and then decide. . . . We can't force people so we said okay and just decided that we wouldn't be having any more baptisms this transfer cause its the last week of the transfer.

On Saturday, the sister downtown had a baptism so we went with Ruben and he felt the spirit so strong that he decided to do his interview with the zone leaders who were there also and get baptized this next Saturday!!!! We were so STOKED!!! He asked me if I would do the baptism. . . I was really hoping that he would want my comp to do it. . . I love doing it and all but I've had the chance before.

Earlier in the week on Tuesday, Elder Bowen came and we had a zone conference with him. It was the best zone conference I have ever had and the whole mission is really picking up. . . .When I got here, we were doning 20 contacts daily which is 140 contacts a week. And then So this is what we have been working with for the past year and three months that I have been here. . . Well, Elder Bowen came and taught us "Who we really are and as Priesthood holders what our true potential is." We are now doing 50 contacts or more a day which is 350 or more a week. . . . its hard but its a ton easier than 20 or 22 a day, I don't know why but it works!!!!

Anyways that's just about it . . .
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

11 January 2010

2010-01-23T15:59:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,

Thanks for the letter it was great to hear all the stuff that is going on!!!

Do you have the directions for Aaron in the MTC yet?

Anyways we had a great week this week, the baptism did go through but I don't know if you'd say as we planned or expected but it did turn our amazing!!! The truth I felt so good about this baptism it is the best one I have had in the mission!!!!!

It all started Tuesday night when we go and do stuff with the young men to keep them excited for activities and stuff cause the leaders don't always come. We found that there was no water in the church but everyone said that it had just been cut for the day and would be back on tomorrow.

So we planned ahead to go and fill the baptism font, Friday in the night so that it would be ready for Saturday or so that we could know if there was going to be water or not. Friday came around and we sent to fill it and still there was no water. We went back to the apartment, knowing we as of now still didn't have water and we had the baptism the next day. We prayed so hard that there would be water in our prayers in the night and the next morning in our studies, everything.

It hit 10:30 and we went strait to the church....still no water...so my companion climbed the fence and then over to the big tank that feeds the church, looked in, and there was water!!!! We went looking all over the church for a master faucet that would turn on the water for the whole church, But so much for that---We didn't find it.

We called the president and he was working and wasn't going to be able to come to the baptism so he couldn't help. He told us where the main faucet was behind a locked door that he thought we had the keys to, but we didn't. We ended up calling one of the councelors and he came to help us find who had a key. During all this time the young women from the ward were cooking in the kitchen so we asked one of the leaders if they had a hose which really in Argentina, no one has hoses very long and this is what we needed for this thirty foot tower to siphen water. She said, "no" but said she could find one.

Another hour went by and she still hadn't left the church. Then she left and during this time, we were calling people to see who had the key to the water tower to turn on the main faucet. We found out that the only person who had a key had left town for another week. Then the sister came back with a hose---the nicest one I've ever seen here. So my companion climbed up again and put the hose in , and I started sucking. . . and Water!!! I was so glad to see water!!! So we got water and about 12:30 and spent the rest of the day putting it in buckets and dumping it into the font cause the hose didn't reach. Normally it takes about 4 or 5 hours to fill which would put us just right. I don't know how but we filled it in like 3 1/2 hours and luckily to heat the water it just circulates through a tankless water heater with a pump so we had warm water.

The Meeting went great and she asked me to do the Baptism---it was amazing!!!!

We sure learned a lot about faith. Faith without works is dead!!! Like praying and if we wouldn't have done anything to get the water. . . And Faith moves mountains or water if your faith is smaller than a mustard seed.

Tomorrow we are going to have a Zone Conference with Elder Bowen, It should be exciting!!!

Anyways thats about it!!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

4 January 2010

2010-01-23T15:43:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,

The packages you sent to me I had to pay that much to recieve them.

Oh sweet!!! I can't wait for the package of letters!!!(from the cousins) Is Megan really serious with her boyfriend, engaged??? And Tabitha and Lizzy...are they going to school or what's going on with everyone?

Awesome!!! (talking about Friend Aaron Kelly leaving on Mission) Ha ha hope he gets everything he needed before he left!!! He is going to love the MTC!!! Get his address in the MTC from his Dad or Jacob so that I can write him!!! Hopefully his dad and brother write him. . . if not i will!!!

Ha Ha . . . what's Matt's excuse now for not going to church?

That's awesome that it's (mom's class) only two days out of the week and not 5 that should make it a lot nicer!!!

Anyways this week has really been great!!! We are going to have a baptism on Saturday it will be my comps first and our first together and we are hoping that we can get another one maybe two before the end of the transfer!!!

Anyways thats just about it!!!

Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

28 December 2009

2009-12-31T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom and Dad!!!!

It was great to talk to you guys too!!! The truth is I haven't thought about home too much while in the mission so I really haven't missed home a ton. Even just before calling I was pretty chill not too worried about it , but after hearing your voices and hearing about everything that is going on, I really miss you guys! As of the 1st. . .the new year. . . I'll only have another 9 months in the mission left---talk about it is really flying by fast!!!

Anyways we are going to have a baptism on the 9th and it will be awesome!!! My companion's first baptism in the mission!!!

Oh yeah, about the Spanish scriptures. . . they will give Aaron a pair in the MTC!!! He'll be using the new bible. . . I still am using the old one and I'm debating whether or not to buy the new one.

Anyways things are going great!!!

Love
Your Elder Berghout

P.S. Oh yeah, What are Bakugan Figues????

24 December 2009

2009-12-31T10:16:00.001-08:00

Hey Mom,

I will be calling between 2pm and 6 pm Christmas Day!!! Talk to you soon!!!

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

14 December 2009

2009-12-31T10:08:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,

Haven't heard anything from you for a couple weeks, I think I should probably be getting your package today....Everything is going great!!!! We got transfers this week. . . .I'm staying here in the same place!!!! We are sure to have some baptisms this transfer, we have a bunch of investigators progressing right now so I'm glad to be staying!!!! Oh, yeah and not have to go to a new area and not know anyone for Christmas!!! (His companion didn't change either)

I'll be calling in a couple weeks ha ha but I'm still not sure exactly when.

Anyways
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

30 November 2009

2009-12-31T09:54:00.001-08:00

Hola Dad!!!

Ha ha. . . yeah we didn't even get Thankgiving.

Nice, yeah we have really had some nice weather here too, then yesterday it got pretty cold but it's really been a lot nicer to work.

Do you think you'll get moved out or maybe they'll decide to make you Stake President or something . . . (talking about how long Dave has been in High Council)

Well anyways. . .about what is going on here. . . We have been working really hard being super obedient trying to do everything that we are asked and my district also. Now the other two companionships in my district are having a lot of success in their areas but it just seems like nothing wants to happen in our area, its killing me. I want to baptize so bad especially with the elder that I'm training cause I remember how bad it was not baptizing with my trainer and only can imagine how he feels. Something could still happen with the people that we have but the chances are looking slimmer and slimmer the closer we get to the end of the transfer.

The time just seems to be flying by too fast, I can now count the months left on my two hands as of tomorrow and I want things to happen before I finish my mission.

Anyways that's just about everything
Te amo
Tu hijo y misionero
Elder Berghout

Hey Mom!!!
(When asked what he would want or need for Christmas)
Maybe some more garments but as of right now nothing much else maybe another pair of shoes. I'm not sure that mine will make it all the way through the end of the mission. I'm hoping that they do but I'm possitive that they will. The ones I have right now are the Ecco's, I love these ones a size 45 or 46. Oh yeah, and shoe polish, I bought another thing when I started in Roca but i just ran out and I haven't been able to find any more here that's very good and with that a new pad to spread it. These are some things that I could use but I won't die without them so don't worry.

Te Amo
Tu hijo y misionero
Elder Johnny Berghout

23 November 2009

2009-11-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom!!!

We had quite the opportunity yesterday in the afternoon. Elder Bednar was here in Buenos Aires and they did a broadcast conference for Argentina, Paraguay, and Uraguay.

We were really excited to listen to him speak and he got up and said, "well this isn't going to be a normal meeting. None of us have prepared talks but we're going to give you the opportunity to ask questions." So for an hour and a half, people asked questions and they responded. It was amazing!!!

Anyways that was my excitement for the week. Other than that it has been really calm. We are just working and trying to get people progressing and you know the normal.

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

9 November 2009

2009-11-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,

Yeah i can't believe it's November either. It should be starting to get hot here and all we have had is cold, rain, and snow. But it's okay everything is going great!!! We have lots of investigators that are moving along great and we are sure to have some fall in the water this transfer!!!

Oh yeah, We had a pretty crazy week, one of the elders in my district, he is from Uraguay, I stayed with him and his comp for three weeks while I was waiting for my comp to get here but anyways, he got a call from the President, Saturday, saying that his father had died. . . . Talk about crazy. . . . but he took it pretty well. I talked with him on the phone and he said it's sad but at least we have the knowledge of God's plan.

That will be a nice job for Matt but wow he'll have another thing coming when he gets in the mission. I swear every night this week I have gotten to the apartment and I have been out of energy, I really feel old Ha Ha!!!!

That is great that your arm is healed!!! I hope that the bone spurs go away so that you don't have to have your shoulder scoped!!!

Ha ha yeah . . . that last month goes by so fast ha ha!!! (friend Aaron has 1 month before leaving on his mission) Hopefully he doesn't wait too long.(to get ready) I remember doing the tiling the last two weeks. . .how did that turn out---did you guys ever get the grout in?

Oh Sweet!!! (Mark and Janna are building a new home) When will their house be done? And how are they doing? (Mark--email Johnny!!!!) Tell Mark that we will have to play some guitar when I get back, I've forgotten a lot. Ha Ha!!!!

Yeah I got my package!!!! Thanks for the garments!!!! They aren't the same as my other ones but it doesn't matter. It's so nice to have new ones!!! Oh Yeah, and thanks for the (Halloween) candy haha!!!! I wanted to dress up haha!!! Oh wait, I was dressed up----as a missionary!!!!

Anyways, thanks for everything
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

2 November 2009

2009-11-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom!!!!

Everything is going Great!!!! We got transfers and my new comp and I are staying here in the same area and we are excited for this transfer. We ended up not having any baptisms this last transfer but we are sure to have some this transfer. We have had a lot of good success this last week and are working hard to keep it up after all the snow that came the week before and distroid (destroyed) most of our appointments.

Earlier this week, we were teaching one of our investigators and we taught about prophets and then we don't like have pamphlets for this lesson so we gave her a gospel principles book with the chapter marked to study before the next time. Well, we came back and asked if she had read the chapter and she said yeah then showed us that she had read the first 17 chapters of the gospel principles book. . . Ha ha!!! Talk about a surprise . . . then we taught the word of wisdom and her husband, who had not previously been listening, listened and at the end asked, "can you bring me one of these books too?" We didn't have anymore in the apartment so I just gave him mine!!!! He was really excited!!!!
Oh yeah, and they both came to Stake Conference when I was only expecting to see her.

In Stake Conference Elder and Sister Bowen came to speak along with Sister Julie Beck and Matsumori. It was really awesome to listen to them!!!! But it still wasn't the same as having our Stake Conference in the Conference center like at home!!!

Anyways, also, yesterday, we found a couple new people, one is the daughter of a brother in our ward who is the only member in his family. Then also, we found a family from Bolivia, much better off than the family that we were teaching in Neuquen when I was there. They are Awesome, I love the people from Bolivia!!!!

Anyways that's just about all for me, oh, yeah, it did rain a lot Tuesday and Wednesday---like all day!!!

Love you!!!
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

Wow . . . .Only 11 Months left---It's passing too Fast.

19 October 2009

2009-10-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

We've had a pretty good week, we are working hard and everything is working pretty good!!! Oh, with the new Comp, He is awesome and working hard to learn the language. We only speak Spanish, partly because I have a hard time speaking English now. I can write okay (HE THINKS!!!--one just needs to read the originals---We like to call it creative spelling. Ha Ha) but remembering how to say things is another story. We are really working on doing all that we can to receive the blessing in the work!!!

Oh yeah, my district is doing awesome too!!! Every week, we are getting better and better and having more and more success!!!

Anyways for now that's just about all. . . .

Oh yeah, We will be speaking next week in church. My comp is not too sure about that!!! And on Friday we are going to have a talent show thing in the church!!!!

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

Some of you asked if anyone can Email Johnny---The Answer is YES!!! He said he will try to answer anyone that emails him but it might take a while cause he only has so much time on P days. He would love to hear from everyone!!!

12 October 2009

2009-10-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom and Dad

My week has been really long but good too!!! I left Bariloche at 11 PM on Tuesday night and arrived in Neuquen at 5 in the Morning to pick up my new companion. I slept from 5:30 to 6:30 then got up and did the normal missionary stuff. Then we had a meeting as trainers with the president at like 10. After that the new missionaries arrived from doing all their papers and we had another meeting at 12 until 4 with all of us. We finished up with that and we had time to go out and work. Some of the other elders left directly to their area but we didn't have a bus until 11 PM again. So we went to my area in Neuquen and visited my converts there and then did some work. At 11 PM Wednesday night we left and arrived at 5:30 in the morning, slept for an hour then got up and had a normal working day.

Thursday, We went to bed at 10:30 and had to wake up at 11 to let other missionaries in because they were coming to our apartment because we had Zone conference the next day. We then woke up at 5:45 and showered and everything cause we had interviews with the president at 7:35. The conference was great and we worked a bit after, then finally got to go to bed at the end of the day and sleep a full night---talk about tired!!!!

Oh yeah, about the shelves. . . A sister in our ward in Neuquen found them thrown on the side of the road and thought they were still in good shape enough to use so she made her husband bring them home. Then asked us to take them apart and fix them up, we never did get around to painting them and putting them back together before I left. The husband and we thought they were as good as garbage but she insisted that they not go to waste. (Johnny sent home a bunch of pictures taken of these shelves so we asked what their importance was).

Okay about my new comp,----His name is Elder Tryon. He is from Phoenix, Arizona. He spent another two weeks in the MTC because he was waiting for his Visa. But for recently coming from the United States he speaks pretty good--far from perfect but he'll learn fast. I've found it quite hard to speak and think in English when he doesn't understand so we talk only in Spanish which is actually good cause he'll learn faster that way. I wish my trainer would have done it with me but it's all good!!! He is number 6 of 7 kids in the family and doesn't have any pictures of them so I still don't really know too much else about him. He is really quiet and I don't think he did much before the mission---just hung out---didn't really have any hobbies or anything.

Anyways I think that's just about all.
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

5 October 2009

2009-10-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad,

We have really been working a lot!!! This week I'll be going to Neuquen to meet my NEW Comp!!!
I'm excited to finally work and focus on just my area and to start someone off in the mission!!! But anyways, Conference was amazing!!! I loved all the talks especially Elder Ballards from Priesthood!!!

But anyways, not too much for this week, I'm sure I'll have more for next week when I have my new comp!!!
Love
Your Elder Berghout

28 September 2009

2009-09-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hey mom!!!

Sounds like everything is going good there. Ha ha like always!!! Yeah I figured that Devon Kenney would be getting back soon. Ha ha!!!

Anyways this week went great too!!! We found a bunch of people and oh yeah, we put a baptismal date with a lady for the 31st of October. I love the mission, I don't know what else to say.

Hey Dad
Yeah I'm enjoying being a District leader but you know I would really just more than anything just have to worry about the work and not other elders but no this transfer my district is awesome especially the two elders that I'm staying with for now till my companion gets here for another 2 weeks. Working in three is really weird but it is awesome too!!!

We found a lot of new people this week and are working really hard!!! Oh yeah, we put a baptismal date too!!! Everything seems to be working out so good now that I with two elders that are really willing to work with all they have. My last comp. was really lazy when it came to getting out of bed in the morning and studying. I dropped the can a lot trying to help him but sometimes I'm not sure why some elders come on the mission other than to vacation for two years.

Anyways
Everything is going great
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

21 September 2009

2009-09-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Sorry I forgot to write about the food last week, but yes I did receive your email from your work!!! Thanks.

Anyways about the food. . . Yes it is really good. . . Well the things that are like the traditional stuff that they cook like empenadas, pastel de papas, noquis, and asodo. Other than that they just always do like pastas with the exact same sauce. As a missionary you really get tired of that sauce but its okay cause its food and you really don't care as long as you don't go hungry.

Wow sounds like things have really turned around with the High School Football team---That's way awesome!!!!

Wow that's crazy---Kurt going to Mongolia--Oh yeah--AND with short hair!!!. . . Oh yeah and now that I'm almost half way with my mission. Wish him luck for me and tell him I'll be there when he gets back!!!!

Anyways, about my week, it went pretty good. This week we didn't find any new people or baptize anyone but we have two investigators that are progressing pretty good. I hope that we can get them in the water this transfer!!! Oh yeah, this transfer. . .I am going to be training a new missionary!!!! I still don't know who it is and won't know for another three weeks so I'll be solo til he gets here, Ha ha . . . just kidding!!!! I'll be working with two other elders in my district until he gets here or if I can find a young man that would like to be a mini missionary for three weeks!!!

Anyways that's just about all for right now, but hope you guys have a great week!!!

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

P.S. The package that I sent should be getting there this week!!!

14 September 2009

2009-09-21T11:37:00.001-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Wow... seems like everything is going great there!!! Thanks for the package, it was great!!! Oh yeah, people can write me, the only thing is it might take me a bit to write back cause I only have an hour every week to write everyone so yeah, it would be great to hear from people!!!!

I sent the package today with some goodies for you guys to try. You'll have to break or cut them so that everyone can try a bit of each one!!! They told me it would take 8 days to get there so be looking for it in the next week!!!

The work is going good, we have some good lessons planned for this week and are hoping that everything goes well. We may be setting some more baptismal dates but we'll have to see what the Lord wants us to do.

Anyways that's just about all for right now so until next week!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

5 September 2009

2009-09-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hey,

Yeah this week has gone better. The weather here this week has been perfect!!! Anyways, I got the package that you guys sent. Thanks for the Birthday stuff, I actually did it on the 5th. Ha ha. . . on my Birthday all I did was work, Ha Ha!!! I still don't feel 20. Oh yeah, tell mom I didn't get her email that she sent from work last week. Oh, I think I'm gonna send a package either this week or next with a DVD of photos and stuff, so in 2, 3, or 4 weeks be looking for it, Ha ha!!!!
Anyways not too much to write this week.
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

31 2009 August

2009-08-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

I hope everything is going good there!!! My week has sure been a tough one. I've been working as hard as I can just trying to do everything right and it seems like everything I do, Satan is trying to do the opposite or stop. For instance, Saturday we had a baptism. We went and started the water in the font at like 12:30 and left the church to do some more work. We came back at 4, one hour before the baptism and found that it had only filled a couple inches. As people started arriving, we were still trying to find what was wrong with the water. We finally found that one of the pipes was not filling the water tank and was just running out and down the side of the water tower. We fixed it and started the baptism talks and things and by that time there was enough water that she could sit in the water and be baptized that way. Quite a story huh. . . then we were hoping to have three or more investigators in church but not one came. I hope this week goes better.
Love,
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

24 August 2009

2009-08-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

This week the baptism didn't actually go through. We went on Friday for them to get married and they did which was awesome but it was raining and really cold and from walking to the place, they got sick and didn't want to risk leaving the house and making their little girl even sicker. So next week for sure!!!!

We are also finding a lot of awesome people!!!

It snowed a ton this week!!!

Oh yeah about Carlie. . . . I finally got an email this week. . . . . .and (she) is getting married in October. . . crazy huh. . . Yeah I was shocked. I'm okay, don't worry about me, I won't let it bother me. I am just going to keep on working!!! I just worry, I hope she is okay.

Oh don't worry about the money thing, I don't think I'll use all of it. I was just wondering what I was at.

Anyways thanks for the email
I'll talk to ya next week
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

17 August 2009

2009-08-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Everything is going great!!! My area is awesome and the work is going along great. We are in the process of finding some more new investigators because most of them have already fallen in the water, decided to stop listening, or are about to fall in the water. The Zone leaders interviewed our investigator and we will be having a baptism next Saturday after they get married!!! We are going to be the witnesses for the Marriage.

Also, as District leader I got to interview three more investigators of the missionaries in my district. They will be being baptized next Saturday also, so it will be quite a day!!!

Oh yeah, it has snowed everyday since I've been here but it's okay, I'm doing my best to stay dry. . .We usually have to go back to the apartment about halfway through the day to change into dry clothes, but I love the snow!!! It is so beautiful here in my area!!!

Yeah I am already picking up speaking in "Tu" form and not "Vos" like in Argentina. My new companion is super nerdy but we get along good so far, so it's okay!!!! Ha ha. . . I swear everything I touch, he says is contaminated or if he sees something and doesn't have anything to say, he says "no comment", It's really funny!!!

Anyways, that's just about all for right now so till next week!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

10 August 2009

2009-08-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom

I just got my transfers and tonight at 11:30, I'm headed to Bariloche. I went from Jr. comp and there I'll be Senior Comp and District leader!!!! It's crazy!!! But my new area is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the mission!!!! Its in the mountains and I'll be with another elder from Chile, my third comp from Chile!!!

There are some things that I am in need of a little bit!!! Face wash, the neosporin (jock itch), and a pair of shoe laces, and a pair of shoe inserts (for a size 12 shoe), and last can you move some more money onto my card and let me know what I have in my account still?

Thanks, Mom for everything, I'll write next week letting you know how my new area is!!!

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

3 August 2009

2009-08-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Last week was a great week!!! This week didn't go quite as good, we went to put a baptismal date with this mother and son that we have been teaching and the Mom seemed like we had never taught her anything. I don't know what happened but she just like went blank. Also, they are leaving to Chile for like a month. Oh yeah, and she's working for this lady who is a member of another church and this lady told her that she had to go to church with her or the church of the devil. The people are so crazy here. So with them we are back at ground zero.

We did find some good new investigators luckily and hope that we can get them progressing!!!

Oh yeah, I got your package!!! Thank you!!!
That would be awesome to have the whole family up there at Sourdough!
Have you talked to Matt at all about reading his email and writing me back? (everyday!!!)
Oh yeah, and is Martin still going to church and stuff?

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

27 July 2009

2009-08-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad,

Sounds like you guys had a pretty good week. I for sure had a cold one, but don't worry, I bundled up good so it wasn't bad at all!!!

Wow, he'll (Aaron Kelly) will be getting his papers in no time!!! Tell him I said hello!!!

Oh, I thought that Timby and Matt Caulford were going in at the same time, I have no idea.

I think I will have a great week. I think we may have some investigators that we may be putting baptismal date with!!!

Anyways till next week thats just about all for now!!!

Love
Your Elder Berghout

20 July 2009

2009-07-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Sounds like everything is going good there!!! What Classes is Matt taking (WSU)? Did he get any scholarships (Yes--for drum)

Ha ha---That's funny that Keon said I look the same...ha ha... just cause the way that I talk changes doesn't mean the way I look changes ha ha!!!! At times I wish my acne would change and go away for once!

That's awesome that Jared will be able to do baptisms for the dead in the temple in Canada. What else are they going to do in Canada?

This week went good!!! We had three people in church this week and they are all progressing differently but really good. Hopefully they will continue to do good!!! So many things are happening with our area, I love it!!!

Has Matt read his email lately? I wrote him like three weeks ago and still haven't heard back from him.

Hey Dad

Wow sounds like an oven, at least you guys can get in the pool!!!! I hear Matt is working on the Mustang. Is it coming along good??? Oh yeah, and is the Camaro still around? ha ha I don't know if I'll be able to speak in English when I get back... one of our investigators asked me to give a prayer in English so that they could hear what it sounded like and it was really hard to do it.
Anyway everything is going great in our area, We are seeing lots of miracles!!!!

Love
Your Elder Berghout

13 July 2009

2009-07-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

Johnny didn't write a letter--Just sent picture which we added to the Blog. The pictures included captions that said what they were. 1. His latest baptism--Monica. 2. a saying in a store called "no Pecaras" which means don't sin. 3. a family from Bolivia in their house that is made of wood and with the cold it's not a very nice place to live. 4. Johnny and his companion didn't want to carry their dry cleaning so they hung it on Johnny's back pack.

6 July 2009

2009-07-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

Wow Ha ha!!!!
It's amazing what you can do in one week!!! I'm pretty used to doing just about the same thing everyday Ha ha!!!

Anyways this week went a lot better by the end of the week!!! During the week it seemed pretty much the same. Just a lot of people that didn't seem like they wanted to talk to us. On Wednesday, we contacted a lady and she said she didn't have time except for on Sunday, in the morning. So we said okay, we'll come by and you can come to church with us. Not thinking anything of it until Sunday morning, just figuring it would be another bad contact, we went by her house Sunday morning and she answered the door, Still in her PJ's. I said we came to take you to church with us and she said wait just a minute. . . . Leaving us waiting at the door thinking that she was going to come back with some excuse why she couldn't go. We were surprised---She came back all ready to go.

We went to the church and we were like the first ones there so we started to get scared thinking that no one was going to come to church because of this sickness alert that has been going around pretty bad, but eventually people started to show up and really welcomed this lady that we brought.

She ended up sitting with two sisters in the ward and us behind. Everyone was giving their testimonies because of Fast Sunday and she started to cry. At the end of the meeting she said, she is for sure to come next week. We will be teaching the first lesson tomorrow and it's amazing what the Lord provides when you're obedient and endure through the tough weeks!!!!

Anyways that's about all!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

P.S. I wrote Matt last week and he didn't write me anything back so far. . . Did he go to church this week? Oh yeah, and is Martin taking the lessons and going to church still???

29 June 2009

2009-07-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Wow sounds like everyone is busy. Sometimes I wish i could come back home for a weekend to have some fun camping with the family but I'm doing good just hearing about all the fun stuff makes me miss stuff back home but it's ok.

This week was a pretty slow week--not too much happened. We talked with lots of people this week that pretty much hate Americans so they wouldn't let us in just because I was from the States. Its sad but one day they are going to know and wish that they would have let us in.

Sorry I haven't written Matt too much. I'll write him more if he promises to write back. Ha ha!!!

Oh and it should be fun going camping with Mark and Janna, and Marianne and Steve!!! Tell them Hi for me!!!!

Anyways not too much more for this week
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

24 June 2009

2009-06-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Yes don't worry, the package (coat) made it here last week and I gave it to the kid. He was way stoked. . .wears it in the house sometimes. . . he gave me the money for it so I don't know what you want me to do. . . you want to just take that money out of my account for it or whatever, just let me know.

My week was great!!! It rained here too during the beginning of the week but now its just really cold lately!!! We had stake conference this week and Two of the twelve and two of the Seventy came and spoke in Buenos Aires and they broadcast it to all of Argentina. Because of this we couldn't announce the baptism of our investigator in sacrament so we spent a lot of the week running around our area inviting everyone---talk about crazy!!!!

We talked with Monica during the week to find out who she wanted to do the baptism and who for the confirmation. . . we had been hoping she would say her son who is a recent convert of like 6 or 7 months and is a priest. . . but she asked me if i would do it!!!! We were hoping she would want her son to do it but I'm not gonna lie---I was stoked!!! On Saturday, the 20th, we had the baptism at 4:30, it went great and it was amazing being able to get into the baptismal font and baptize someone!!! Then on Sunday, Elder Perez did the Confirmation!!! I have pictures and tried to send them but the computer won't read the camera so that i can send them so I will wait until I get the thumbdrive in the next package.

TELL MATT HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

That's crazy that everyone else is getting ready to leave now (friends/missions) and I'll already have a year in three more months. It's so crazy how the time flies by!!! Oh yeah transfers. . . I'm staying here in Neuquen for at least another 6 to 7 weeks with my same companion so nothing changed. We'll be working hard to find some new people to teach. I love this area so I'm stoked that I am able to stay another transfer. I was getting worried that I was going to be leaving already.

That's good Matt is finally working! (at the Church Print Center in Salt Lake) How is he liking it and is he making decent money there?

Don't worry about the package. there's no big hurry. Just when you send it, just tell me so I know to be expecting it.

Let me know how the interview at the new job goes!!!!

Love You!!!!
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

15 June 2009

2009-06-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom
I haven't gotten a letter from you today but it's kinda early (6:50am Argentina time) so maybe I'll get one a little later...anyway not a lot to write about but next week is transfers and we are having them a half a week early because we are getting a new Mission President so I probably won't write until Wednesday next week.

Everything is going good--just Cold!!!! We will be baptizing Monica Munoz on Saturday the 20th!!! She is the mom of Mauricio who Elder Peni and I baptized. She is so ready. She stopped smoking completely and before she was smoking a ton... It's so amazing how people can change so quickly when most people it would take months to stop smoking.

You'll have to tell Matt Happy Birthday on Monday (22nd) for me!!! I'm going today to buy jursey's and stuff so that I can send some home for you guys. I hope stores are open cause it's a holiday. I swear, it's always a holiday here and when it's a holiday normally everything is closed.

Oh yeah, We are teaching the kid from Africa again but on the 1st he is going to Spain so maybe when he gets back he can get baptized!!!

Anyway that's just about all for now!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

8 June 2009

2009-06-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Wow sounds crazy!!! Sorry this computer is kinda messed up so I can only type in lower case. (mom fixed that!)

Wow, that's so crazy that Timby (Talbot) and Matt (Caulford) will be serving in the same area (mission) and Kurt (Kunzler) will be headed to Mongolia!!! You will have to start marking on a map where all my friends are and get their addresses so that I can write them from the time I get back til they do.

Oh, this week we had divisions (splits) and I got to spend the day with Elder Saunder, my MTC companion. Talk about crazy!!! I never thought I'd have the chance to talk with him until we were back on the plane headed home. He started in one of the worst areas in the mission and got robbed like 5 times and had a gun held to his head and everything. Crazy stuff!!!! He is doing awesome though, He is in our district and helping in the office putting information in the computers. He still hasn't had a baptism---talk about hard!

What print center is Matt going to work at? (The Church one, same as Dave)

Anyway, it's been an alright week. Definitely not the best. Yesterday, I was sick really bad ---my head, throat, and body hurt and I didn't feel like doing anything but luckily today was p-day and we went to the zone leader and they and my companion gave me a blessing and now I'm feeling alright---not 100% but I feel like I can actually do something.

Anyway, I think that's just about all for now.
Love,
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

1 June 2009

2009-06-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!

Wow sounds like a ton of fun!!! Yeah I was figuring you guys would be headed up to Sourdough now!!!

I have had a great week. We are finding a lot of people and set a baptismal date for the 20th of this month. It's the mom of our most recent convert!!!

Its getting pretty cold here and wearing coats almost everyday now.

After speaking Spanish everyday with my companion, we had divisions (splits) this week and found it a little hard to speak in English---Kinda funny huh!!!

Well anyway, not much else
Have a great week!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

25 May 2009

2009-05-26T07:37:00.000-07:00

Hey Dad and Mom

Wow crazy Matt is all done. Yeah I remember how crazy it was finally getting done.(with High School) Does Matt know where he is going to work or is he just going to look around? Oh yeah, I remember the bull (mechanical bull at Grad party)... but I don't remember hurting anything, maybe he just needs to learn how to ride a bull!!! ha ha JK.

Sweet! That will be fun if you guys can get up to Sourdough. All the streets here are like mud lately just like up there. Our shoes are always covered as soon as we walk outside. It hasn't rained too much this week, it's been pretty nice but the ground still hasn't dried out.

Haha, Yeah I remember the last couple days of school just sitting around ready to be done waiting for the empty days to go by.

It's good to hear that the arm is getting better and hope that it will continue, hopefully a little faster. Hopefully they can get the right brace in quick. Too bad I'm not already back home and done with school then I could have done the X-ray Ha ha!!!

Wow I miss seeing a yard with grass. No one here has anything---just dirt. Everything is dirt and some people cement or tile. Oh yeah, speaking of tile...Did you guys ever get the grout done on the stairs?

About the package, I don't know of any other way to send it. It should be okay. But I only have 4 more weeks in this transfer because the Presidents are changing so I don't know if I'll be staying here or if I am going to be moving. So probably send it pretty soon. I don't really need anything too much ---just the thumb drives so I can send you guys some pictures. I still have 2 face wash bottles so I'm doing alright. I'll be waiting to see pictures---I LOVE PICTURES!!!

Anyways everything is going great with my new companion Elder Perez. He is from Chile, doesn't speak any English so it's Spanish the whole time. The first two days this week, my head was hurting so bad only speaking Spanish but now its going great and I'm really getting better. Oh yeah, I'm really getting lost in the mission, I'm so stoked to be here and just want to find people, I don't know what changed so much but I just like have been so much more focused.

Love'
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

18 May 2009

2009-05-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Not too much happened this week here, but it was nice to talk to you all on Sunday!!! We got our transfers so today is really crazy again. I'll be staying in the same area but with a new companion, Elder Perez. He is from Chile too. . . My second Chileno. He came in to the mission field at the same time as Elder Peni!!!
Sorry everything is so busy today, it's kinda hard to thind about what to write. I'll probably write more next week.

Oh yeah about the CD's just send a couple thumb drives and DVD's writeable cd's instead.

Thanks so much. Love You!!!
I miss you All tonz!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

10 May 2009

2009-05-22T08:13:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day Phone Call

Johnathon called home and we were able to talk to him for almost 2 hours. (It takes that long to get through the family!) He sounded great!!! You can tell he is really picking up the language because he is speaking with a Hispanic accent and switches his nouns and adjectives. He is loving every moment of his mission and can't believe he is already in his eighth month. He said that the seasons are changing and cooling off. He won't see much snow unless he gets transferred to an area with mountains. Because it rains a lot (and he didn't have his coat with him one day) John has water proofed his suit with the waterproofing spray we would use on camping equipment.
Johnathon has managed to put on 11 pounds and says he is eating well---for once in his life he is having to exercise! He says that the thing about Argentina that is the hardest for him is that HUGGING is a Big part of the Argentine culture and Johnathon has always been a hugger! He says that it is hard to see everyone hugging each other and as a missionary he can only shake their hands. He said that he would love to receive more pictures. We have been sending them via email but he can't print them off his email to show others so we will be sending him a package of pictures soon. Johnny said that his packages get there in about 2 weeks. The Missionaries have to open the package right there at the Post Office in front of the Postal workers who often times steal things they want. Johnny hasn't had anything taken, We always hide items in Candy boxes which they don't seem too interested in. He is loving his companionship with Elder Peni but thinks that they will be split up with the next transfer. They still run into the young man from Africa but not consistently enough to get a commitment for baptism. He was excited to hear about Matt Caulford's call and asked how all the other buddies are doing---he would love to hear from them more!
Finally Johnny said to give a big hello to everyone. . . so HELLO!!!

4 May 2009

2009-05-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom

Wow!!! Crazy week for you guys.

Matt sent me pictures of the horse, definitely a good looking horse. You'll have to send me some picture in the mail of the dogs, horses, and house and stuff cause people always ask to see pictures of home but I don't really have any.

Um I'll ask him about color and size this week and stuff and let you know next week. . .

Oh yeah, Jared is not the only one to come down with a bad cold this week. I have had one all week and its been terrible but I'm starting to get better. I swear every member we talked to this week at lunches tried telling a different kind of cure that I need to do to get better. Oh yeah and almost all of them told me I was gonna die if I didn't go to the doctor to get a shot but I'm getting better now so no worries ha ha!!!

Yup Iknow I thought about Cameron's Birthday as I reached my seventh month mark and started my eighth, talk about time flying by before I know I'll be calling home for Christmas again and then before you know it I'll be back home!!!

I'm looking forward to calling home too!!! This week with all the cold weather everyone has been giving lots of hugs. . . which stinks cause I miss it a lot and seeing everyone being able to have what I want is hard.

That's awesome that Aaron is finally being able to get his papers going!!! And when does Matt (Caulford) go into the MTC?

Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

P.S.
I'll be calling `around 6 or 6:30 here in Argentina so 3 or 3:30 there in Utah! Talk to you on Sunday!!! Love Ya!!!!

27 April 2009

2009-05-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,

Sounds like everything is going great!!! Haha Carlie wrote and said she's sending a graduation invitation!!! Now I have two haha!!! (we forwarded ours to him)

Oh yeah this week it has been a little chilly in the morning and in the evenings so I've been wearing my coat It's been nice!!! Infact so nice that one of the sons of the family that we live with asked me if you could get one like it and send it and he would give me money for it cause they don't make them that nice here so I told him I would ask.

This week went really fast I was studying the Christlike attributes in Preach My Gospel and tried to work on some for myself. It got me really focused making the week go a lot faster.

We found a bunch of investigators this week so hopefully we can get them ready for baptism that way we can have some more before the transfer ends.

I'll be calling on the 10th of May some time. I'll let you guys know next week exactly what time.

Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

20 April 2009

2009-04-21T21:08:00.000-07:00

Mom,

Wow, crazy week!!! We had a pretty smooth week, nothing really amazing. Oh, Wait!!! Yeah. . . you know Ricardo, who I taught in General Roca. Well, he got baptized finally I just heard from another missionary!!!! We found a new guy named Jorge and we've been teaching him quite a bit!!!
The one kid, Felipe, from Africa, we found him again now that he is back from Spain so we are going to start teaching him again!!! I can't think of anything right now that I need just the stuff I told you before. I'm sending a letter with some pictures this week.

Love
Elder Berghout

6 April 2009

2009-04-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom

Wow things are always happening there back at home!!!!

Anyways the baptism of Mauricio Sabastian Munoz went great!!!! We ended up doing it on Friday, April 3rd because of conference. Elder Peni baptized him and this up coming Sunday I will do the Confirmation. He is so awesome. The spirit was so strong at the baptism and right after Mauricio said "my brother is next", so today we are starting to teach his brother. He will be a little tougher because he's always in front of the computer like all the kids there at home.

Because of the baptism, me completing 6 months, and Elder Peni completing a year we celebrated a little. You know the drink Elder Groberg drank in the movie "The Other Side of Heaven", we drank that cause Elder Peni is from Samoa and had some of the stuff to make that drink and it is tradition to use it to celebrate special occations. It was bitter, but definitly an experience I am going to remember.

Oh yeah, we got our transfers again and Elder Peni and I are staying together for another transfer --I'm stoked!!!! We work so good together.

I don't know if I've told you, but so far I've gained 11 pounds. I didn't think it was possible but crazy stuff. I'm starting to work out so I don't get fat and instead just put on muscle. (Is getting FAT possible for a Berghout????---Mom's thought)

Anyways till next week
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

P.S. I miss my music....Haha!!!! When I hear music on the street, I always want to dance. ha ha

30 March 2009

2009-04-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom
Don't have a lot to talk about this week but we're having a baptism this week finally!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

23 March 2009

2009-04-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom,
Haven't got a letter from you today yet but anyways I don't have a lot to talk about this week. Still finding new people every week and we are going to have a baptism on the 4th of April our investigator and we are stoked!!!
Love
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

16 March 2009

2009-03-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom!!!
It's good to hear that Sam (dog) is betting better and that the kids are doing good!!! It's good to hear that DJing went good (Dave and Cameron DJ d a dance for Johnny), I've been worried about it all week when I am laying down at night instead of worrying about the work. Ha Ha...I remember when I used to be shy...that's good that Cameron is getting out and dancing!!!

This week we set a baptismal date with one of our investigators for the 4th of April so everything is going great right now!!! We found some more investigators this week too! Nothing else too much happened but we had family home evening with a family last week and it was really fun. We made Tacos using some of the stuff you sent me and played some games and stuff. We planned and did everything that night. I am going to send some pictures of it.

Yep I got the package with the Peanut Butter and Mike & Ikes and face wash. Thanks a Ton!!!! Last P day I made Crepes and we had Peanut Butter and Dulce de leche on them---Talk about good!!!!

Yeah, You have to let me know when he gets his papers!!! (Friend Matt C put in his papers)
Love,
Your Elder Johnny Berghout

9 March 2009

2009-03-11T09:36:00.001-07:00

Hey mom,

Thanks for the letter... yeah, things here are still hot but not quite so hot. It's pretty barable now.
But anyway, the kid from Africa accepted to be baptized when he gets back from getting his documents from Spain so we will have a baptism next transfer and we're still working with the family from Bolivia.

They extended our area. Now we have the Zone leaders old area too now and are having lots of good contacts that we are going to follow up on!!! Anyways, not too much else has happened this week, We have just been trying to work really hard.

Dad said he is going back to school now. . .that's awesome!!!
Anyways, till next week
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

3 March 2009

2009-03-04T12:01:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,

Everything is going great!!!! Yup, I made it to my area and met my new companion....the whole first day he pretended that he didn't know English so I just had to speak Spanish ha ha... I did alright!!! Oh, just so you know, He is from Samoa, not Tonga, the Zone leaders told me wrong. Ha ha. He is awesome, he and I are still learning Spanish so at times it gets a little difficult but everything is great. This week, we are going on an English fast---so no speaking English this week. Ha ha.

I haven't found any dry cleaners so as of right now, no, but, I really don't need it that bad... but it is nice, one of the sisters in the ward washes all our whites... It's so nice!!!

As for the drain, it works great, but.... the shower has no pressure so we fill up a bucket like the one we used to stand in, taking about a half hour to fill up for each person. Then we take a cup and shower with a cup. . . It definitely saves water!!!

The area is awesome. It's still actually not in the city, but the members are amazing! They ask us how they can help, rather that having to bug them every time we need someone!!!

Elder Peni and I get along amazing. My first day we found a new investigator, he is from Africa. It's so awesome. We went in and taught the first lesson on the contact and we hadn't even practiced together and the lesson went so smooth. We both work well together cause he had a hard time with his companion last transfer--worse than I did with mine. But anyways, this investigator from Africa has to go back to Spain to get his papers cause right now, he is just here as a tourist and is starting to study so we are planning to finish teaching him when he gets back and baptize him next transfer...He is accepting everything... Then we are teaching this family from Bolivia, too. Talk about straight Lamonite decendents!!! It seems like everyone other than Argentines seem to accept us, but oh well, as long as someone is!!!!

I think that's about all for now, talk to you next week. Love you.
Love Your Elder Johnny Berghout

23 February 2009

2009-02-27T09:20:00.000-08:00

Wow, that was an awesome letter!!! Ha ha a ton happened at home this week. But as for the transfer, I'm leaving General Roca now that we finally are loaded with good investigators... I'm going to the city of Neuquen. Now I'm stoked and hope that I can finish learning the language. I want it to come faster than it is.... Oh yeah, I'll be with Elder Peni. He is from Tonga. I am excited to meet him. I'm leaving for Neuquen at 3 today so 11 there at home cause you are 4 hours behind us here.

Oh this week, I think we hit a record. It got down to 72 degrees a couple nights. I was close to freezing!!! Ha ha. . . and this week the weather hasn't been too bad.

But anyway, I don't really have much else this week. . . .
Thanks for everything
Love Elder Johnny Berghout

16 February 2009 A

2009-02-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Dad
Ha ha, yeah it hasn't been quite so hot lately, It's been a little more bareable but no investigators came this week which stinks cause that means Ricardo needs to come three more weeks instead of two cause he missed this week. Transfers will be this next week so I'll find out Saturday if I'm here for another six week or if I am going somewhere else.
That's awesome that Keon is doing missionary work there!!! I wish members here would help even a little.
Anyways that's about all for today. . . .
Love
Elder Berghout
p.s. have you tried setting up the equipment yet? (DJ equip.)

16 February 2009

2009-02-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,
I wrote Dad some of the detail this week so you can ask him for those...but... You have to tell Matt that I tore one of my pockets on one of my shirts WRESTLING with a member... He should be proud. Ha ha.

If you haven't sent the face wash yet, could you send a few more things with it... If you've already sent it, don't worry about it. I live without these things for now. A watch---preferably Timex black sports watch---we aren't supposed to wear anything that would attract thieves so I haven't worn my other one and I think I am starting to bug my companion because I am always asking the time. Photos of the house and dogs, I haven't been able to print off the ones that you sent me on the computer cause I can't move them onto my camera. Shoelaces--for my Sunday shoes--the ones on my Eccos are doing fine but the ones on my other shoes that I had for a while before the mission are starting to wear out. Lotion--My hands get really dry with washing my clothes every week by hand. Speaking of washing clothes by hand, I think it's starting to get to me this week, I had a dream about this amazing washing machine...Ha ha ha...we are definitely blessed to live in the states with constant electricity, water, sewer, and WASHING MACHINES!!!!!
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

9 February, 2009

2009-02-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom!!!
Great to hear that everything is going great. Tell Matt good job with the wrestling. And remind Cameron that he is only a Freshman and had 3 more years ha ha ha... he's already wrestling varsity so he is doing awesome!

That's awesome that they had the baby blessing (his friend Derick) but that is kind of awkward that they had it after the meetings, I've never heard of that happening. You're lucky to get to see everyone...I miss being able to hang out at night. The other night as we were walking back to the apartment, I was thinking and I realized as I walk to the apartment every night, I'm not going home for two years... It was kind of a depressing moment. I miss being able to come home at night. I'm glad to hear that you talked to Carlie and that she's doing good. ha ha ha.

Oh yeah, I'll have to tell Dad Happy Birthday!!!!!

Now about our investigators....Ricardo, the one we have been teaching since we found him, my second day here, we were about to drop him and then we went over to tell him that unless he started coming to church, we couldn't keep teaching him cause he needs to progress. . . Well yesterday, we went and picked him up and took him to church since we don't have help from the members. He only has two more weeks and he can get baptized. He has had all the lessons already so we started going over the baptismal questions so he'd be ready for his interview. He has given up wine and is practically a totally different person.
We are also teaching a lady, Rocio, and hope to put a baptismal date with her soon too.
You are always in my thoughts and prayers too!!!
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

2 February 2009

2009-02-02T14:47:00.001-08:00

Hey, this week went good, the families ended up not being home when we passed by. So hopefully, we'll be able to find them again this week. It's so hard to find people home in this area, they all seem so busy.
We set another baptism date with Ricardo again, the guy that we found my second day in the mission, so hopefully he can make it to church this time. We are trying to get members to help, only thing is that they all seem to have a reason why they can't help so that is not too good.
Everything es going good with us as companions. Everything is just awkward. It just takes a lot of patience but we work together good so that's all that matters.
Thanks for everything Mom.
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

26 January 2009

2009-01-27T14:48:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom . . .(Mom is in TROUBLE!!!!)
I didn't receive an email this week but I'll tell ya a little about my week.
This week we found a family that when we talked to them, they said they had been waiting for us. Talk about crazy!, so we are planning on going back because they were busy at the moment. I'm hoping that we might actually see some success finally in this area!!!
This week was super hot . . . on Thursday while we were eating lunch, I stuck my alarm clock out in the sun because it has a thermometer on it and when I went to check on it, It was 131 degrees in the sun. Talk about cooking! Also, that morning, I sewed my first two holes in a pair of my pants. I must have caught them on a nail or something on a chair.

I have one question, Is it possible at all to wash dry clean pants like in normal water or anything?

Love Elder Berghout

20 January 2009

2009-01-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

Hahaha wow crazy week
Anyways I am picking up the Spanish a lot quicker with Elder Pinet and he is learning English so we are helping each other. This week has been awesome, we've been finding investigators and are hoping that they move along good!!! Elder Pinet is SUPER goofy sometimes, I don't know how I can stand working with him but everything seems to work out. With Elder Frazier, we were always talking about everything because we seemed to have everything in common and with Elder Pinet, it seems completely opposite so I kind of had a hard beginning of the week with the transition but the missionary work seems to finally be going somewhere so I am not complaining too loud.

I did find something that I need this week. I am running low on face wash and could use some more as soon as possible...and we don't have any Peanut Butter down here and there are a few who would like to try it if maybe you could send a bit of that too. If not that's okay.
Love ya thanks for all the support
Elder Johnny Berghout

PS Tell Matt to stop hurting himself--He's gonna need a good knee for walking all day in the mission.
Tell Cameron to keep up the good work in wrestling and always find the fun in everything.

Oh and don't worry about me--they drink so much Coke down here I definetly get at least a glass a week (Thank's for the advice Grandma.)

Love,
Elder Johnny Berghout

13 January 2009

2009-01-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

Mom,
Sorry I didn't write yesterday, we had transfers and Elder Frazier headed home and I was waiting for my new companion all day so I didn't make it to do the internet til today. My new companion is Elder Pinet. He is from Chile and has, I think, just over a year in the mission so I am going to pick up Spanish really quick--I Hope! He is kinda weird, we haven't connected as well as Elder Frazier and I did, and everything is kind of awkward. He does speak English but to help me learn Spanish faster, we are using English as little as possible. Transfers are fun, finding out who your new companion is going to be, but they are hard because it is like starting all over again, building a working companionship. I'm sure all will turn out well with the Lord on our side though so no worries.
Nope, we haven't had a chance to go back by the one guys house. (last letter)
Well there is nothing I really need but maybe could use some more M&Ms (Peanut Butter) and Mike & Ikes seeing how I opened the package while we were having lunch as a zone and shared some candy from the United States with everyone. It's already gone but just what ever, I'll let you know if there is anything that I really need.

Thanks for everything :)
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

4 January 2009

2009-01-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

Mom,
Hey everything is going great!!! I haven't gotten the package yet but I am hoping it comes today! Thanks for the pictures, Elder Frazier is getting ready to go home and wanted to see what my house looked like before he left.
I didn't think I could write (email) other people but the Elders said it's okay, just not to spend too much time on it.
This week, I got sick and had diahria for a day but I am all better now so no worries.
Ha ha I wish you could send me some snow too!!! It was around 105 or more yesterday but I didn't quite cook so I am still alive.
This week because of the Holidays, nobody is home so contacting is hard but we did happen to find one guy but at the beginning he didn't want to hear anything out of OUR BIBLE, the Book of Mormon, but we got talking with him and taught him the whole first lesson and he was speechless and didn't know what to say. We were going to give him a Book of Mormon but he still didn't want anything to do with it. He said he had a question and asked where we go after this life, so we taught him the whole second lesson. At the end of an hour and a half of not wanting anything to do with the Book of Mormon, He asked aren't you going to give me one of your books? So we did and showed him where to read and asked his name and when we could return to talk more but he didn't want us to come back or know his name. It was really funny, but we're hoping to stop by and see if he wants to know more.
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

29 December 2008

2009-01-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

Hey Everybody,
It was good to talk to everyone on the phone on Christmas. I don't know of anything super interesting going on right now but I'll let you know this next week if anything amazing is happening. I heard that the United States is getting a ton of snow all over.
Love
Elder Johnny Berghout
PS I got the pictures and the beanie that Matt is wearing in one of the pictures is my new one that I got last year and unless he got one just like it then he should stop Stealing. (Matt--YOU'RE CAUGHT!!! ) HA HA HA.
Could you send me a picture of the house before next Monday Please.

25 December 2008

2008-12-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

Elder Johnny Berghout called today and it was SO fun to talk to him. He called out to Grandma's house where most of the Family, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and Mom & Dad and the brothers were able to talk to him. He sounded really good. He said, he was calling from the Bishops office which has air conditioning. We were able to talk to him for about an hour. He kept commenting on how it seems more like the 4th of July than Christmas because it is 95 degrees there today, but it gets up to 104. Also Christmas Eve, everyone was shooting off fireworks, there are no regulations so anyone can shoot off any kind they want. He and his companion went to the district leaders apartment for Christmas Eve and they put their matresses on the roof and watched the celebrations until 1:30 am.

He told us how the church buildings in Argentina don't have Basketball gyms but instead they have Soccer courts. (Mark Mangum would love it) He says it is like playing indoor soccer except there are no walls and it is a cement floor so it is a very fast moving game.

He is doing well with the language and even got to go on splits with an Elder from Peru to another area. John's area is really hard. There is not a lot of enthusiasm from the members for sharing the gospel and investigators are hard to find. Anyway, he was excited about this split because he was forced to speak Spanish (the elder didn't speak any English) and this other area was totally different. People were excited to talk to the Elders and excited about the gospel. John said that He and Elder Frazier (from Oregon) go tracting in the mornings and hope to have an appointment set up by noon. If they don't, it is siesta time and no one wants to be bothered then.

He talked about some of the foods--it is taking some getting used to. He is maintaining his weight. Johhny said that they have to have their water brought in and only drink bottled water.
Some of the members boil the local water and store it in two quart jars.

John said the area he is in is an older area with dirt roads everywhere and it looks like a dessert.
His apartment is small and the Elders that were there just before he arrived had sprayed for Roaches and He and Elder Frazier hadn't seen any until a few days ago. There are now "two" roaches and they only come out when Elder Frazier is showering. HA HA

He hasn't received any packages yet but hopefully soon! He said you really have to be careful what you list on the package contents. They won't bother it if it is food items! John said that sometimes it takes up to three weeks to get packages. (He got his Christmas Package before he left the MTC)

Oh Yeah, He said that he can receive pictures on his email. He would love to see what everyone is up to. He is getting lots of new cousins!!! He said to tell everyone hello (Hola!!!) and that he loves his mission! FELIZ NAVIDAD... Merry Christmas!

15 December 2008

2008-12-15T14:49:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,
It was great to hear from all of you!!! You guys are lucky to be going snow boarding. During the day it's in the 100's here. It's SO hot!!! At night, in our apartment it stays about 92 degrees all the time but it's ok cause I'm getting used to it. In fact, last Monday, I think it was, we got a rainstorm and it dropped down to about 75, 80ish and we put on our hoodies and coats because it seemed cold. But anyways, We committed a guy to baptism this week but he has to come to church at least four times before he can be interviewed for baptism and he didn't come this week so now we have to push it back a week more. So hopefully sometime soon! Just so you know my area is like one of the hardest areas cause none of the members are excited about anything and all the people that are investigating just don't feel the spirit because the members are so lame and the missionaries before us have been slacking for a long time so we're trying to bring this area back to life.

Yes, I'll be calling sometime Christmas day. I will email you probably Christmas Eve and let you know exactly what time I'll be calling the next day.

Love Elder Berghout

8 December 2008

2008-12-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom

I am only allowed to Email Family so I am writing one big letter and you can share it with Whomever.
I am going to share experiences out of my journal, that way I don't forget anything.

Dec 2, 2008
So Yesterday, I left from the MTC at 8 am headed for Neuquen, Argentina. We flew from Salt Lake at 12:10 pm to Dallas, Texas where we arrived at 3:45 (Dallas time). We had approximately 3 1/2 hours lay over. During the lay over I called family, Grandma, and Carlie. It was so nice to be able to hear everyones voices. We left Dallas at 7:35 pm and flew all night to Buenos Aires where we arrived at 9:55 am the next morning. I did not sleep on the plane very well. We were then picked up and taken to the MTC in Buenos Aires for a couple of hours. We ate lunch and also walked over to the temple. At 3:30 they came and picked us up and took us to another airport where we flew to Neuquen. The president was there waiting. We then went to his house, ate dinner, talked for a bit, then went to bed. We all find out tomorrow who our companions are and what area we will be in.

Dec 5, 2008
Today was my second day in the area. My companion is Elder Frazier. It's his last transfer and then he'll be headed home. Most missionaries start to die in their last area but Elder Frazier is still working hard. He's awesome. Oh yeah, funny thing, He has the same birthday as me, just 2 years older. But anyway now about my area.
Argentina is nothing like I expected. When I got to Neuquen the other day, everything seemed to be really old and out of date, the buildings, cars, houses, and everything. But everything is bareable. Then we got to my area, Roca II, all the roads are dirt and the houses look like shacks. Where we stay, we have a bedroom, bathroom, and a kitchen all fitting in an area smaller than half our garage there at home. The shower is just an open part of the bathroom next to the toilet and sink, and the drain doesn't work very well so as we take showers we stand in buckets and then dump the water into the toilet. (this makes me so thankful for all that I have and home in the United States) but after being here almost a week, I am getting pretty used to it.

Dec 7, 2008
In our area there are not a lot of people that like to talk to us, so we usually end up knocking doors all day. To knock a door we stand outside the fence and clap our hands. We get turned down a lot or talk to people that are really stuck in their ways, a lot of them believe some pretty weird stuff, it's almost sad. The People that we do get to teach are so awesome, and the members are a lot of fun. I went to church today and pretty much didn't understand anything. There are only 40 members approximately in the Ward. The members feed us tons, it's not half bad but not a lot of flavor and you eat till you can't eat more.
It is super hot here too so we drink tons of water and juice everyday.

Today,
Hey everyone, love you all and miss everyone, but I am loving it out here too.

Love Elder Berghout

2 December 2008

2008-12-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

We received phone calls from Johnny on Monday as he was waiting in the Airport. He was excited to be out of the MTC and see cars and people again. :) He sounded really good... Excited to be going to the Mission field but a little nervous. He flew out Monday Morning from Salt Lake City to Dallas, Texas and then on to Buenos Aires. From there, he traveled to Neuquen and arrived Tuesday night. What a LONG trip! Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, We got a call from his Mission Mom. She said that John had arrived with no problems and was meeting with the Mission President and that She and the President were both very impressed with him as a young man. Sister Cook says that he will be an awesome missionary (We aren't surprised!) John's first assignment is in General Roca. It is about 45 min. east of Neuquen. Sister Cook said that the Neuquen Mission is a very safe mission. (Nice to know!) His P-days are going to be on Mondays and the best way to communicate is through emails. He will use the same email as he did at he MTC. John said that he would love pictures from people so he can keep up with changes and activities back home. (Remember: If you send him a package for Christmas---It is summer in Argentina right now! His companions have been receiving hot cocoa. John says he would rather have Strawberry Lemonade :) )

23 November 2008

2008-11-28T21:50:00.000-08:00

Mom,

Yeah, it's been really crazy almost two months for me too! I actually got my flight plans on Thursday the 20th. On Monday, December 1st, we leave the MTC at 8:00 am. Our flight leaves Salt Lake at 12:10 pm to Dallas, TX where we'll arrive at 3:45 pm. We'll leave Dallas at 7:35 pm and arrive at 9:55 am in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the 2nd (December). Then, I think we get on a bus and have a long trip to Neuquen.
I got your email and wrote back. I can only get on for 30 min each Wednesday right now in the MTC.
Wow, Yeah I forgot Blake (a friend) was getting married. That's awesome that they got a nice day for their wedding.
I am excited about you and Carlie doing a scrapbook for me. I have not got a letter from her all week and I think I might DIE Ha ha Ha...JK!!! I'm sending pictures and my (memory) card.
I was at a Fireside a couple of weeks ago and one of the speakers said," only when we have things taken away from us do we realize the true value of them." It's so true. I miss everyone a lot, No hugs for TWO years :( But it's ok, I'll survive. I miss Carlie a ton!!! I don't think about it too much during the day when I'm busy working, but at night, when I lay in bed, I have time to just think for myself.....
By the time you get this letter, it will probably be too late to send anything back until i get to Argentina. (We sent him one last package before he left!!!)
I know with all my heart that the Church is true. I know that we wouldn't have what we do, if it wasn't for Joseph Smith. And the more that I learn, the more I learn how lucky I am to have an Eternal Family.
Love you so much and miss your hugs before going to bed at night, I miss ALL hugs from anyone.

Love
Elder Johnny Berghout

Dad,
... Yeah know, I think almost everyone here at the MTC has been sick, but I haven't yet and am hoping I last this last week without getting it before I leave. .....(repeat of flight plans)
I know this church is true with all my heart. The more I learn, the more I know how lucky I am to be apart of it.

Love
Elder Berghout

19 November 2008

2008-11-24T12:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom,

Wow...crazy work week!!!! I miss coming out to see you at night at work.
Sounds like they (the brothers) had a lot of fun fishing and sounds like they're getting pretty good!!! Sweet, I need some pictures of the family and stuff. Speaking of pictures did Marianne get the ones done with the family, friends and Carlie and I from my farewell talk day? If she did, I'd like some!!!

That's awesome Matt did so well with the Mr. Ogden!!! I do miss helping set that up!!!
I miss working with Christensen, he was an awesome guy to work with!!!! Wow thats good to hear, so far only Stephan and Carlie out of my friends write me back but that's ok cause I don't really have a lot of time. Wow I miss everyone!!!

Could you please send me my light blue Holister shirt and my Orange Nike shirt because my two black T shirts that I brought for gym stuff shrank and are too small...Ha ha ha!

I'm so excited to get to Argentina!!!! I'm supposed to get my flight plans this Friday!!!

Thanks for everything
Elder Johnny Berghout

PS Here is my email. I can ONLY use it once a week for a half-hour so mail works better in the MTC. Love all you guys I'll write back when I have time.

Nov 12th Email

2008-11-24T08:37:00.000-08:00

Hola padre!!!!
Yup it worked... and its going great only three more weeks till i'm leaving for argentina!!!!!!!!!

5 November 2008

2008-11-15T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hola Madre!!!
Te amo mucho!!! (The whole letter is written in Green Pen!) I bought some colored pens cause the normal black was getting old. I'm glad you had a good week and made it to both games. That's awesome that (OHS) got the Horse back. The Cedar game should be good.
Haaa that would have been fun fishing. Yeah! I bet Keon was excited and sounds like quite the way to wake up. (Keon caught a 17 in rainbow and the next morning mom woke up to it in her face). Talking of ways to wake up...every morning my talking alarm clock goes off and my roommates hate it. Ha ha Ha.
Oh ha ha Ya I wish I had more time to write. Maybe I'll write to the Bishop or something.
Yeah Carlie told me that they had lots of fun!!! Made me jealous. . . I miss Carlie Lots but it's okay the time is flying by. It's already been a month!!! I'm loving every minute here. This Friday we're teaching the whole first lesson in Spanish for the first time. We've done it in English the past 4 weeks.
Ha ha really. . . (His Cherokee hasn't sold--told him he might still have it when he gets home)
I was hoping it would sell it's such a gas hog especially when I am back an going to school.
I have P-day on Wednesdays. Ya, could you go to the DI and get like $20.00 worth of like ugly ties...Maybe have Matt go pick some out for fun. . . trading ties around here is the most amount of fashion excitement we get. Ha Ha ha :)
Glad to hear from you every week!!!
Thanks for the Package it was probably the most fun thing we had to do on Halloween!!!
FYI the Blue car was faster than the Orange one.

Love
Your Elder Johnny

29 October 2008

2008-11-05T22:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom,

Yeah Everyday is busy for me but it seems like the same day everyday. It's already been a month but it seems like it's only been a day because every day is the same thing.
(Matt and the other boys have been shooting off rockets) Sounds like fun maybe they'll have to take some pictures while they are shootin the rockets off and send me some pictures.
If you want to put on my email address it is elderberghout@myldsmail.net
(Keon decided not to move into John's room) Ha Ha... That's funny I thought Keon was finally going to stop sleeping in your room and move down there. (The family spent a Sunday evening at Carlie's House) Ahh... Sounds like fun. I Miss Sundays at Carlies house... Heck, I miss everyday with her. Yeah...so anyways How was dinner with them?
That is so awesome that Matt is finally buckled down in school. Also, that the football team is doing better. Oh wow... How was the Iron Horse game?
Good for Cameron.... Yeah he told me that the Coach was trying to get him to play. You'll have to let me know how he does.
Oh yeah, I emailed Derrick last week and got a reply this week. He said he was doing pretty good.
Thanks for the memory card. Next week we are doing our whole lesson in Spanish so hopefully it goes OK.

Love, Elder Berghout

Dear Dad,

You're welcome for the pictures. I'll probably be sending some new ones again soon.
HaHa... oh yeah, tell Alan thanks and tell Dave, Alan, Tyler and Travis all Hi... I miss working with all of them. I had so much fun, they were always messin around somehow. Oh yeah, Can't forget /Arlon. Tell him Hi too.
Oh... this week, we met the consulate from Argentina. I swear it was "Mr. Bean" up there. (from Mr. Bean's Holiday-movie) He looked like him and acted like him.
Yesterday L. Tom Perry came and spoke to us. It was pretty sweeet!
Fun Stuff (family last swim of the season).... It shouldn't get too warm in my mission so I don't think I'll be thinking about swimmin to much while I'm down there.

Love, Elder Berghout

October 17, 2008

2008-10-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom,

It always makes my day to get letters from you and the Family!!! And yes I notice my testimony growing every day...I can say it all in Spanish now but I'm not as good at writing it yet. I was thinking maybe I might get a mini tape recorder here so I can send you guys some of my Spanish speaking. That might not be for a while cause right now they are sold out.
Thanks for the # (PIN to his account) And sorry I left my room such a mess. Wow I am surprised that no one has taken over it yet.
Yeah they started winter dress this week so we had to start wearing our full suit always and now it is warm again and it sometimes gets hot wearing a suit all the time.
Wow thats crazy! (????) Have they finished any of the other new stuff on the School?
Awesome! Grandma sent me a letter that was pretty nice to hear from her but I haven't had time to write her back so you may just have to share some of the letters with her.
Yeah that sounds good (sending his memory cards home for downloading) I can fit almost 1,000 pictures on this one but right now I can't them cause the computers are so restricted.
(Asked if there was anything He needed) Nothing right now...Thanks so much!!!

Love
Elder Berghout

Dear Dad,

I'm so busy I don't even know how I'm finding time to write these letters.
Yeah it's awesome about the Temple (New one in Argentina) Yes my mission should let me email. I can write now but only on Wednesdays for a half hour and the computers are so restricted that I can't send my pictures yet.
Yeah I was reading D&C 31 about leaving just for a little time to do missionary work.
Thanks for Writing

Love
Elder Berghout

15 October 2008

2008-10-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Dad,
I did not go to the Conference Center at all (Dave had asked if he had sung with the Missionary Choir at the Priesthood Session) but I did watch all the sessions and they were amazing.
Actually today is the beginning of our Third Week and we are supposed to be getting a new District. So hopefully we'll get some roommates cause it's just been me and my companion the past two weeks. They have been awesome.
Last night for our Devotional, Richard G Scott came and gave an amazing talk and shook every persons hand before he left.

Love your
Elder Berghout

2008-10-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

Letter from October 6th 2008

Today has .probably been the easiest day so far. We got up at 6:30 am to eat breakfast and study all day till 9:30 with lunch and dinner brakes. I have been learning so much spanish Its amazing how quickly you can learn when you have the spirit always with you and the Lord on your side.
Oh yeah ... did you make it camping? and if so how was it? I hope you all listened to conference.It was amazing! I watched all five sessions! There were so many awesome things said!!!
There are 128 temples through the world 5 new ones are going to be started and one of them is in Querdova, Argentina.
I liked what Neil L Anderson said " You don't know everything but you know enough." and this next one reminded me of cameron and matt Robert D. Hales said "Quiet confidence not boastful pride." Last Elaine S. Dalton said,"In the strength of the Lord I can do hard things."

Love Elder Johnathon Berghout

P.S. I'll write in spanish more when I get a little better but I'm getting good at speaking!!!

Elder Berghouts First Day

2008-10-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

The whole family went to the MTC to see Elder Berghout off. We arrived in Provo an hour and a half early so the family stopped at Ihop for breakfast, we noticed other families had the same Idea. We had and enjoyable time there with him. It was tough sending the first son off and leaving him, knowing that it would be two years before we would see him again. :( :)