Aww Full Tagalog

So we got to letters from Mike last week. He says things are going great. He says the Tagalog is coming slowly but surely! He tells us he was getting down on himself and discouraged but one day he decided that God has called him to the Philippines and whether he knows two words or the whole launguage when he leaves the MTC he will do what the Lord wants. His favorite place is the RC. He likes it cause he gets to talk to "real people" and answer their questions. He told us this story, "I talked toa girl named Liz yesterday she was very confused. Her grandparents just died ad she is 25. She was wondering if there was a life after this one. i taught her the whole 2 lessons on the Plan of Salvation! It was Awesome! I figured out like when you teach someone every little thing you have ever red and studied about pops into your head when you are teaching. i just remember while I was teaching her I found Scriptures I didn't even know i knew! We talked for about an hour. She allowed me to send her the Book of Mormon! She told me she was going to read about the restoration in Moroni 10: 3-5, she was going to pray to know if it is true! I also taught her how to pray! It was probably the best experience I have had yet!" He has such amazing stories to share! He wrote again on Thursday to say it was his last day of speaking English full time! He tells us how his district did a compliment circle. That is where someone is "spotlighted" and everyone in the district says the good things about them. It was only supposed to only take an hour and they didnt finish and the took over 2 hours that night! With 4 more to go! This is what they said about him. He has a great love for his family. He keeps the picture we took before he went into the MTC in his scriptures! He says he is so happy that we have been there for him his whole life! He says his favroite place to study is right out front of the MTC. he says its nice to see civilization! We miss him so much and love hearing from him! And we love him to pieces! Cant wait to hear from him again!

Learning lots!

He has written to tell us that he only has 2 more weeks before he has to speak full Tagalog. he says that he can speak and have a 5 minute conversation with someone! He says he has Temple every Monday and he always looks forward to it! He seems to be doin great! I love him and miss him so much! I am so very proud of the work he is doin!

More news!

So we got like three letters today! :) He says he is feeling better but still a little sick! He says Adam made it and they "balled it up!" He had his second T.A. (teaching appointment) Its where you teach volenteers, he says, "they always go great! You feel the spirit so much!" Now I will just put in some things he said... "The language is so hard. it is starting to come a little bit! My companion is still awesome everyone is still good! Some days are good and some are bad, but I just have to remember why I am here! But I love it!" He told us this awesome story so here ya go, "I was at this place called the RC (referal center) Its where people call to order free stuff. So this man named Steven called! I could tell he was confused about many things! He called to order a video. For some reason I decided to ask Steven what he thought about God and Jesus Christ! He went on to tell me there was no such thing. Our conversation went on for about an hour. I told Steven what I knew about God and Jesus Christ. I pretty much gave him the first disscussion! When the call was about over I asked Steven what he was thinking? He said for some reason he knew what I was saying was true! He also told me he thought there was a greater power and I asked him to pray and ask for the truth! He said he would and he also said he would let the missionary's come over and teach him! :) I honestly think it was one of the most happy moments that I have ever had in my life! I know that he was there and called me for a reason!" He says sometimes he feels like giving up, but then he remembers what Jesus did for him and he totally changes his mind! He watched a talk given by Elder Holland called A Miracle of a Missionary. He says you WILL regret not going on a mission but i can almost garentee you wont if you do! Also if you are home sick it is normal in fact if you aren't then there is something wrong with you! :) He goes on to tell it is great there, but the hardest work he has ever done! But he loves it! He wrote an e-mail saying he help a friend of his stay at the MTC. He says he could not imagine himself anywhere else but where he is! He wrote us his testimony in Tagalog so here it goes, "Alam ko na buhay si Jesucristo at ama sa langet. Alam do na mga anak ng Diyos tayo. Alam do na sagleta ng Diyos Aklatni Mormon. Alam ko na propeta ng doyos sina Jeseph Smith at Thomas S Monson sa Pangolan ni Jesucristo. Amen." It translates in to, "I know Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven live. I know that we are all children of God. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know Joseph Smith and Thomas S Monson are Prophets of God. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. He finishes his letters with "Mahal Kita Tayo!" Meaning I love you! He says he misses everyone but is enjoying this adventure to the fullest! I love and miss him lots!

Just a Thought

I have been trying to find this song that Mike had me listen to before he left on an EFY CD he had bought. I finally found it and cried for like the first three times i heard it! haha but its called Beautiful to Him by Rachel Thibodeau. Tori and I wanted to add it to the playlist on here but didnt want to lose the other songs if I did. But Tori was telling me its one of Mike's favorite so check it out! Its so Mike, I remember him singing it to me! He is so good! I miss him lots!

Mikey:[

This was the saddest day of my lifetime! Sorry i didn't post this forever ago i had no idea how to but this was the last day for two years:[ I really wish he would smile:[

Study Hard!

This was a picture of Mike and his companion studying in their rooms but it didn't fit in the envelope so its a picture of Michael studying really hard in his room:] or maybe he is asleep....

Elder Bergren and Elder Fine

Two Studly Tagalog learnin missionaries!That i Love and Miss:]

Michaels District

The Missionary to the left of Mike was sent home that day sadly! This is all the Elders in Mike's district who he loves:]

News from Mikey!

This is Mike's sister Brittany, as many of your look at this site I am the one who wrote on his phone to tell you about it! I want you all to know that Mike is doing great! Today him and is companion have a fever but I hope by the time I am writing this they are better and up for tomorrow! Tomorrow Tori will be posting some pictures of Mike while he has been there. I got a letter yesterday he said he is having a great time! He made me laugh he says he doesnt miss his phone one bit! Which is funny cause we all know how attached to it he was! ;) These are his exact words, " I am way to busy to miss it! You are always doing something here! i have to write like half a letter a night! Today has been alright the days seem long when its day then when its time for bed it seems so short!" I had to laugh he must love the go go go life he always has! He told my mom he taught his first lesson Monday night and it was awesome! But he still has alot to learn! I miss him to much but he is doing great things!

We Love Elder Bergren

I just received a letter from Elder Bergren that he wanted me to post on here :) So, here it goes!

For the Blog,
Hey Everyone! Well it's almost my second week here at the MTC - it is pretty fun being here, but also the hardest thing I have ever done! My companions name is Elder Fine Isuloi! He is Tongan. He is from New Zeland thought! Elder Fine is probably the sweetest kid here at the MTC. Going on a mission is the hardest thing I have done! At the same time I love it though. There is no better place for me than right here at the MTC. The food is pretty good! You can eat as much as you want!! I always try to out eat my comp. but I never do. My district is Awesome. We have been through a lot already! One of the kids in our district got sent home the other day, but it has brought us all really close together! Well I don't really have much to say! Oh yeah! The pass along tie is going to Adam this week. The only rule is when you get it, you can't trade it! Because I have passed up some good trades!! So, I hope no one trades for it! Thanks for everything! I love and miss everyone! Love, Elder Bergren.


We miss Elder B. too and hope he has a blast at the MTC and a safe trip to the Philippines! Hopefully we'll hear from him soon!!

Adios Elder Hine

Elder Adam Hine left us today for the MTC! He'll be serving his mission in Panama! We wish him the best of luck and we'll hear from him soon!! We love you Adam!!