Oh gosh, this is the third time I have started to write an email to
you cause the computer I was using kept crashing over and over again,
but now I am on the one Elder watts was using, so all is good now!
Haha
That's too bad those cards didn't work for very long, and we only
really got to talk for about 20 minutes, but I guess well try again
for May! Maybe by then you kind find a good way to be able to talk for
a solid amount of time, haha, no worries though.
But yeah, we are staying at a house! There is a gate in front of it,
and in the gate are four houses, and one of them is ours. It's pretty
cool. The shower is nice, and the toilet is definitely a toilet, so no
complaints there! The house is nice!! And yeah, we go proselyting and
stuff. The other day we passed by this guys house, and he welcomed us
in, just real nice like and all, which was cool! He gave us plums in
his house, and after the lesson he liked it so much that we went and
grabbed two of his friends and we gave them the lesson too, haha. a
back to back session!
I.ll try to look and notice if the drain in the sink goes the other
way or not, I havent really noticed it before, but I'll try to!!
Thats super fun you'll be eating pizza with the gang and all! have
fun! eat one piece for me! Sorry this email isn't very long, but after
trying to get this computer to work my time has gone up and I don't
want to pay too much, haha. I am going to la gastros to get ice cream,
and I can't be spending my ice cream money on computer money! haha.
Okay, next week I'll write a letter to jeff next week and I'll give it
to you to forward, okay? I am mega excited for Zachs letter!
YEAAAHH!!!!
He's almost at his year mark huh? Crazy stuff!
Well see wyatt off well, okay? He's joining the cause!
I am super excited for him!
Missions are good.
Okay, I'll write back next monday!
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Things are going pretty good down here! my p-day is on monday, so just one day earlier now. It's not too hot here, but when it gets humid it does suck, and it is definitely a lot hotter here than it was in Utah, haha. So far i have eaten a lot of rice and yogurt. Oh yeah, I'm not in the main capital, but in a provice called Antsirabe, which is pretty cool! The ride down here was super crazy though, I wasn't expecting it at all haha. We just crammed into a bus with a bunch of other malagasys and rode about 3 1/2 hours down here. My companion is Elder Watts. He has been here since August, so he hasn't been here to long, but he is much better at the language than I am (thank goodness haha). He was born (not literally born, but it was his first area) here too, so he knows the area pretty good. I get super lost all the time. But yeah, the language is.... uh.. coming along. haha. It'll definitely take a lot of practice and use before I can actually use it well enough to get by, but that's okay, i'll just practice it a lot then haha. The hardest part about is I can never understand what malagasys say, really. Like i can usually understand when a missionary says something, but I can't when they do, haha. I need to work on my hearing skills haha.
When I look out my window I see a bush. Oh yeah, and about the toilet swirl... well our toilet doesnt really swirl, it just sort of emptys and fills back up. haha. sorry for the disappointing news haha.
I've always wanted to feel tall all my life, but I was never tall enough. I had never been to madagascar. I usually have to duck into doorways now haha.
it's cool.
I'm mega excited for christmas!
okay, well thank you for the email and I look forward to the christmas package!
I love you!
okay, well thank you for the email and I look forward to the christmas package!
I love you!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
So we just got here to the Mission home here in Madagascar! Ahhhhh!!!! Finally!! That was the longest flight/flights ever ever ever. So sorry we didn't really get to talk while we were in London, and that I didn't call while we were in South Africa. Our flight in london got delayed so we literally had to run through the johannesburg airport to catch our flight, haha. But after a loooooong couple of days, we are here! I can't really even believe it sometimes, but all is good!
Here in Antananarivo, there are these 3 line roads, but it's pretty much just a big free for all, and I loved it, haha. I would absolutely hate to drive on it, but riding through it was great! Dang.. I can't even really comprehend all the things I saw. It was just so much different than everything I am used to. I love it. The most.
I just got out of a little talk with the mission president, President Donnelly, and it was great! He's a super nice guy. I'm sort of bummed he'll be leaving in about 6 months. The very first thing they gave us when we arrived in the mission home was some nice fanta and these really good chocolatey-brownie type things. I am so happy. Things are good.
I feel so gross right now, I haven't changed clothes or shaved since monday morning.. ew... oh well.
Well I don't really know what else to say! I feel like I could say one million things right now! haha
Pray for me to help with the language!
I'll talk to you soon!
I love you!
Here in Antananarivo, there are these 3 line roads, but it's pretty much just a big free for all, and I loved it, haha. I would absolutely hate to drive on it, but riding through it was great! Dang.. I can't even really comprehend all the things I saw. It was just so much different than everything I am used to. I love it. The most.
I just got out of a little talk with the mission president, President Donnelly, and it was great! He's a super nice guy. I'm sort of bummed he'll be leaving in about 6 months. The very first thing they gave us when we arrived in the mission home was some nice fanta and these really good chocolatey-brownie type things. I am so happy. Things are good.
I feel so gross right now, I haven't changed clothes or shaved since monday morning.. ew... oh well.
Well I don't really know what else to say! I feel like I could say one million things right now! haha
Pray for me to help with the language!
I'll talk to you soon!
I love you!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I can't really think of anything I need in that final package really specifically.. things seem to be going pretty well! My teacher said it might be a good idea if I had a international calling card I could use to call you all, but I really don't know anything about those things at all. At all. So if worst comes to worst I'll just use quarters or something. Other than that, I can't really think of anything.
Okay, so I will be leaving on Monday (the 12th) at 8 am from here, and then we'll go to chicago, London, and then Johanessburg. and then to madagascar. We should arive in madagascar on wednesday a little after 2 pm. I'll let you do the math. Just kidding, It's around 52 hours, or something. Yeah, I'll be able to do the pouch thing, so all is well. Good work on the headbands! Haha shoot for 100! I'm glad you have enjoyed the Wild Man so much, it is our first feature presentation and we are very proud of it. I haven't started taking the pills yet, but I should in a few days. It'll be sweet. Eric left yesterday morning, which is a bummer but a blessing both. I'm mega stoked for him to get out into the real world of Missionary work. It's just Blake and me here now, and we both leave next week. Actually, Andres comes in tommorow, I almost forgot! Sweet.
Okay, well that's about it right now. I'm just trying to study the language super well before I have to jump into it head first. It's pretty good. Moztoa means 'be diligent' but it's a way of saying 'see you later' in a way.
Oh yeah, tell brittany that if a guy named Addison Damal Jenkins adds me of facebook, he's chill, you can add him. He's one of the Malagasy teachers. Super chill guy.
Okay, that is all.
Maztoa
Elder sweet stuff Bergera
Okay, so I will be leaving on Monday (the 12th) at 8 am from here, and then we'll go to chicago, London, and then Johanessburg. and then to madagascar. We should arive in madagascar on wednesday a little after 2 pm. I'll let you do the math. Just kidding, It's around 52 hours, or something. Yeah, I'll be able to do the pouch thing, so all is well. Good work on the headbands! Haha shoot for 100! I'm glad you have enjoyed the Wild Man so much, it is our first feature presentation and we are very proud of it. I haven't started taking the pills yet, but I should in a few days. It'll be sweet. Eric left yesterday morning, which is a bummer but a blessing both. I'm mega stoked for him to get out into the real world of Missionary work. It's just Blake and me here now, and we both leave next week. Actually, Andres comes in tommorow, I almost forgot! Sweet.
Okay, well that's about it right now. I'm just trying to study the language super well before I have to jump into it head first. It's pretty good. Moztoa means 'be diligent' but it's a way of saying 'see you later' in a way.
Oh yeah, tell brittany that if a guy named Addison Damal Jenkins adds me of facebook, he's chill, you can add him. He's one of the Malagasy teachers. Super chill guy.
Okay, that is all.
Maztoa
Elder sweet stuff Bergera
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Hey mom! Thank you for that letter from Jeff! it was really nice to read! do you have his email? cause even though he said he couldn't send me emails, then I think i should be able to send him one. I don't know. we'll see.
things here are going good, it's my second to last p-day here at the mtc, so nothing to complain about! except maybe this keyboard that i am using.. it's awfully sticky. so if i make any typos, you'll understand. we got up super early today to do laundry, so you'll be happy to find this letter super early in the morning! you're welcome!
thanksgiving here way sweet! Well that tuesday before, d todd christofferson came and spoke to us for the devotional! and then on thanksgiving , we had a special devotional in the morning, and guess who it was?!? Elder russel m nelson! super cool!! they were the first apostles we've seen since our first week here, but two in a week? i'm not complaining. Then they gave us a super big lunch, aka thanksgiving dinner. they had a bowl of candied yams, so I grabbed some of those, for tradition sake. I don't know if i'll be able to do that next year though, haha. Eric found me in the cafeteria and we ate thanksgiving together. i don't know where the heck blake was haha. it was nice, i'll send some pictures sometime soon before I leave. after that we made sack lunches for dinner (because we needed to use the cafeteria for our service project). The service project was pretty much make 8,000 injurty kits. so, yeah, it was my eagle scout project all over again. oh yeah, they have been setting up christmas lights around here for about a month now, and i started to get impatient and wanted to know when the heck they would be finally turning them on. then, on thanksgiving night, they turned them on! haha it's super sweet; best night ever. i'll send a picture of those too.
yeah, well I am super excited that I only have two more weeks here. I mean yeah, the mtc is pretty cool in the way that you get to meet so many people from all different parts of the world. but I think i am ready to move on. it's weird to think that eric leaves in a week, but it'll be good! finally getting out in the real world! and I think it'll be a super great way to learn the language better, being forced to use it. i'm stoked.
Oh yeah, being a zone leader is cool. we don't really have to do all that much though. the main zone leader job is welcome new missionaries, and we haven't had any for two weeks. easy stuff. oh yeah, remember when you all dropped me off, and there was that cool, experienced missionary who hosted me? well, I am going to be a host tomorrow! pretty cool huh?
i am glad that i'm 3/49ths the way done, haha, that really puts some good perspective on it haha.
and i am mega glad to hear johnny came to thanksgiving and you have seen all those other rascals! give them all noogies for me!
Rehefa hankany any madagascar aho, dia lasa tena faly aho.
I think i said that right, but maybe not haha.
maztoa!
elder austin james coolguynumberone bergera
things here are going good, it's my second to last p-day here at the mtc, so nothing to complain about! except maybe this keyboard that i am using.. it's awfully sticky. so if i make any typos, you'll understand. we got up super early today to do laundry, so you'll be happy to find this letter super early in the morning! you're welcome!
thanksgiving here way sweet! Well that tuesday before, d todd christofferson came and spoke to us for the devotional! and then on thanksgiving , we had a special devotional in the morning, and guess who it was?!? Elder russel m nelson! super cool!! they were the first apostles we've seen since our first week here, but two in a week? i'm not complaining. Then they gave us a super big lunch, aka thanksgiving dinner. they had a bowl of candied yams, so I grabbed some of those, for tradition sake. I don't know if i'll be able to do that next year though, haha. Eric found me in the cafeteria and we ate thanksgiving together. i don't know where the heck blake was haha. it was nice, i'll send some pictures sometime soon before I leave. after that we made sack lunches for dinner (because we needed to use the cafeteria for our service project). The service project was pretty much make 8,000 injurty kits. so, yeah, it was my eagle scout project all over again. oh yeah, they have been setting up christmas lights around here for about a month now, and i started to get impatient and wanted to know when the heck they would be finally turning them on. then, on thanksgiving night, they turned them on! haha it's super sweet; best night ever. i'll send a picture of those too.
yeah, well I am super excited that I only have two more weeks here. I mean yeah, the mtc is pretty cool in the way that you get to meet so many people from all different parts of the world. but I think i am ready to move on. it's weird to think that eric leaves in a week, but it'll be good! finally getting out in the real world! and I think it'll be a super great way to learn the language better, being forced to use it. i'm stoked.
Oh yeah, being a zone leader is cool. we don't really have to do all that much though. the main zone leader job is welcome new missionaries, and we haven't had any for two weeks. easy stuff. oh yeah, remember when you all dropped me off, and there was that cool, experienced missionary who hosted me? well, I am going to be a host tomorrow! pretty cool huh?
i am glad that i'm 3/49ths the way done, haha, that really puts some good perspective on it haha.
and i am mega glad to hear johnny came to thanksgiving and you have seen all those other rascals! give them all noogies for me!
Rehefa hankany any madagascar aho, dia lasa tena faly aho.
I think i said that right, but maybe not haha.
maztoa!
elder austin james coolguynumberone bergera
Monday, November 28, 2011
Manao Ahoana!
Okay, about the package.. hm... I would think you would be okay to send it through the mail, but my teacher gave me a helpful tip! Put a picture of Jesus or Mary on the box, where you would cut it, cause he said they won't cut through those, haha. Oh yeah, and he said don't put any electronics in there or anything, cause I guess if they find big electrons they'll all fine me and stuff. So yeah. And even if it does get to me late, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!! haha. So if that sounds good to you, then I'd say do it that way. But if you really want me to just take it, I could do that too. Whichever you are most comfortable with.
The play sounds like it was fun! Which play was it? Or maybe you already told me.. If you did, I can't remember. Anyway, that sounds fun! And I am glad you got all the flags hung up and stuff, I am sure it looks great! And thank you for the package!! I love it! right when I first got the box I smelled the reeses inside, haha. thank you! Packages are always sweet. It's good to hear you are keeping up the pez collecting in my abscense! The pez collectings spirit is alive and well! Good luck with your paper! only one more week!
The security at the mtc, well they added little scanner to each of the doors, so you have to scan your card everytime you enter. I don't think anything really happened, i think they just realized how easy it is to get in here, haha.
Well for our last three weeks, elder fox and I will be zone leaders in our branch. pretty cool stuff. Pretty much just welcome in the new missionaries in the branch and plan out our sacrament meeting and stuff. A nice gig.
On thanksgiving there is supposed to be a really great devotional, and that usually means an apostle! So i'll let you know how that goes! It'll be good.
Three more weeks.. I am so excited. Yessssssss.
Okay, the malagasy word for they day is: Mangatsika = Cold.
I love you! Stay well!
Treat johnny well! I am super stoked!
Tiako ianao
Maztoa!
Elder Austin James Bergera
The play sounds like it was fun! Which play was it? Or maybe you already told me.. If you did, I can't remember. Anyway, that sounds fun! And I am glad you got all the flags hung up and stuff, I am sure it looks great! And thank you for the package!! I love it! right when I first got the box I smelled the reeses inside, haha. thank you! Packages are always sweet. It's good to hear you are keeping up the pez collecting in my abscense! The pez collectings spirit is alive and well! Good luck with your paper! only one more week!
The security at the mtc, well they added little scanner to each of the doors, so you have to scan your card everytime you enter. I don't think anything really happened, i think they just realized how easy it is to get in here, haha.
Well for our last three weeks, elder fox and I will be zone leaders in our branch. pretty cool stuff. Pretty much just welcome in the new missionaries in the branch and plan out our sacrament meeting and stuff. A nice gig.
On thanksgiving there is supposed to be a really great devotional, and that usually means an apostle! So i'll let you know how that goes! It'll be good.
Three more weeks.. I am so excited. Yessssssss.
Okay, the malagasy word for they day is: Mangatsika = Cold.
I love you! Stay well!
Treat johnny well! I am super stoked!
Tiako ianao
Maztoa!
Elder Austin James Bergera
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Hey mom!
I was at the temple today, getting some food after our session, and I tried to use the visa card for a $3 meal, but it was denied, so, uh, just thought I'd let you know ahah.
So that's super cool about jasons call! I'm stoked for him! I hadn't received a letter yet about his whereabouts, but now I know! yay! He's going to love it, I know he will. Missions are pretty sweet. So he leaves in exactly 3 months? Lucky guy, he gets more time to prepare than I did! And the best part about a local mission: only 3 weeks in the mtc. The mtc is sweet and all, but after being here for over 5, uhh I'm too excited to serve, rather than sit in classes all day. it's all good though! The MTC did install card readers on all the doors, so now you have to scan your card EVERYTIME you go into a building. Kind of annoying. But, oh well. It seems like they have put forth about 10 new rules since we got here, which kind of makes me wonder 'why now?' But oh well. One can not worry about such frivilous worries at a time like this.
Thats funny about Abby being able to say kitty, does she say anything else? Danielle sent me a picture of cat yesterday, and I thought "oh, you silly willy cat." I'm glad to hear all is going well for Abby and Cat! And I am glad she still kisses my poster face.
I heard some stuff about the NBA, sometime, so that's too bad. No basketball this year. I glad to see that you've been getting work though! Even if it is just small stuff here and there, it's surely better than nothing! And only one more week of school?? That's super sweet! Good luck with your paper!
I think your advice "hang in there" is sufficient! haha it's sort of hard seeing all these english districts come and and always leave so soon. but I have passed the half way mark in here! so all is well! Jeff used to always tell me that the MTC is nothing like the real mission, and I can totally see why now. And I can totally see why the real mission is sooo great. We watch some movies in here (i think they are on the church website too) called The District, and is just real life mission scenarios, and seeing changes in real people, and I always get soo stoked to see them! We teach our teachers in here, and it's helpful, but I don't think it really can compare to real life. I just want to get out there and serve! haha, less than 4 weeks. I just have to remember that.
chase has told me a little bit about teaching in zimbabwe, and it's super crazy, haha. I'll forward the letters to you, if you want.
I've heard a little bit about that football player from one of my teachers, and it's always nice to hear of another madagascar missionary.
have fun in moab!
I was at the temple today, getting some food after our session, and I tried to use the visa card for a $3 meal, but it was denied, so, uh, just thought I'd let you know ahah.
So that's super cool about jasons call! I'm stoked for him! I hadn't received a letter yet about his whereabouts, but now I know! yay! He's going to love it, I know he will. Missions are pretty sweet. So he leaves in exactly 3 months? Lucky guy, he gets more time to prepare than I did! And the best part about a local mission: only 3 weeks in the mtc. The mtc is sweet and all, but after being here for over 5, uhh I'm too excited to serve, rather than sit in classes all day. it's all good though! The MTC did install card readers on all the doors, so now you have to scan your card EVERYTIME you go into a building. Kind of annoying. But, oh well. It seems like they have put forth about 10 new rules since we got here, which kind of makes me wonder 'why now?' But oh well. One can not worry about such frivilous worries at a time like this.
Thats funny about Abby being able to say kitty, does she say anything else? Danielle sent me a picture of cat yesterday, and I thought "oh, you silly willy cat." I'm glad to hear all is going well for Abby and Cat! And I am glad she still kisses my poster face.
I heard some stuff about the NBA, sometime, so that's too bad. No basketball this year. I glad to see that you've been getting work though! Even if it is just small stuff here and there, it's surely better than nothing! And only one more week of school?? That's super sweet! Good luck with your paper!
I think your advice "hang in there" is sufficient! haha it's sort of hard seeing all these english districts come and and always leave so soon. but I have passed the half way mark in here! so all is well! Jeff used to always tell me that the MTC is nothing like the real mission, and I can totally see why now. And I can totally see why the real mission is sooo great. We watch some movies in here (i think they are on the church website too) called The District, and is just real life mission scenarios, and seeing changes in real people, and I always get soo stoked to see them! We teach our teachers in here, and it's helpful, but I don't think it really can compare to real life. I just want to get out there and serve! haha, less than 4 weeks. I just have to remember that.
chase has told me a little bit about teaching in zimbabwe, and it's super crazy, haha. I'll forward the letters to you, if you want.
I've heard a little bit about that football player from one of my teachers, and it's always nice to hear of another madagascar missionary.
have fun in moab!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Your family loves you: tianao fianakavianao... i think. Maybe i'll look back on that once I am mahay (fluent) and I'll realize how big of an idiot I am right now.. but as for now, that counts.
I'll write the ward a letter sometime, for sure, so expect that.. sometime. At least before I leave here, haha. That's super cool about Anthony getting baptised! I remember him talking to me sometimes and as your cub scout, so that's super cool that he is getting baptised.
I better get wyatts letter soon! the last letter you sent me just about killed me when you didn't say where he is going!! aaaahhh!! but dang, he has just about as much time to prepare as I did, haha. two months will go fast! and look at me now! I've almost been in here for a whole month! it has definitely felt like a month though, don't get me wrong. You always hear people say that sometimes time just flies by super fast, and maybe one day it will, but as for right now these days feel like days.
So we've learning loads of stuff, but mostly just language and teaching. Elder fox and I teach lessons in malagasy to our 'investigators' (our teachers) about 4 times a week now.. no, actually 5 i think. i don't know. maybe more. anyway, yeah, we just keep learning and learning language basics and such. once a day we do syl (speak your language) where for a whole meal time, you can only speak malagasy, which is pretty fun. not much is usually said. I have been reading those books, by the way. I like Our Search for Happiness a lot.
Okay, you don't need to send me the holiday or theme ties, I don't think I'll have much use for them here. Just the nice ones :)
Abby better get walking soon! at this rate, she'll be crawling around when I get home! haha just kidding, I'm sure she'll be walking and talking enough to creep me out (creep me out cause I am not used to it). She is over 10 months old now, huh? weird... she's getting old!
That's cool that you got to be a substitute! I never would've imagined! actually i would've, but still, it's cool!
I don't think we have any word processing programs on our computer, cause I am not a dork who writes words all day! I've got photoshop and all that GOOD stuff that actually matters and is fun. But wordy stuff? ew.. hahaha you found the wild man?? That's our first feature length film. The opening weekend turned up a pretty good attendance. I'm glad you found it, haha.
The article on the homepage of the church site? yeah, we watched it yesterday. SOOOO STOOOKED!! Aw... I can't wait until December 12! All my teachers watched it and all got super homesick for madagascar and all malahelo and such. Oh yeah, to answer your question about the departure date being 1212 or 1214 or whatever, it doesn't really matter which one you put on the envelops, i found out. It's all the same. I think we'll actually leave around the 12th or 13th though.. I'm not sure.
Well, another week has past! Tomorrow I will start my 5th week here, and all is well! And I haven't even gained more than 5 pounds!!
I love you!
I'll write the ward a letter sometime, for sure, so expect that.. sometime. At least before I leave here, haha. That's super cool about Anthony getting baptised! I remember him talking to me sometimes and as your cub scout, so that's super cool that he is getting baptised.
I better get wyatts letter soon! the last letter you sent me just about killed me when you didn't say where he is going!! aaaahhh!! but dang, he has just about as much time to prepare as I did, haha. two months will go fast! and look at me now! I've almost been in here for a whole month! it has definitely felt like a month though, don't get me wrong. You always hear people say that sometimes time just flies by super fast, and maybe one day it will, but as for right now these days feel like days.
So we've learning loads of stuff, but mostly just language and teaching. Elder fox and I teach lessons in malagasy to our 'investigators' (our teachers) about 4 times a week now.. no, actually 5 i think. i don't know. maybe more. anyway, yeah, we just keep learning and learning language basics and such. once a day we do syl (speak your language) where for a whole meal time, you can only speak malagasy, which is pretty fun. not much is usually said. I have been reading those books, by the way. I like Our Search for Happiness a lot.
Okay, you don't need to send me the holiday or theme ties, I don't think I'll have much use for them here. Just the nice ones :)
Abby better get walking soon! at this rate, she'll be crawling around when I get home! haha just kidding, I'm sure she'll be walking and talking enough to creep me out (creep me out cause I am not used to it). She is over 10 months old now, huh? weird... she's getting old!
That's cool that you got to be a substitute! I never would've imagined! actually i would've, but still, it's cool!
I don't think we have any word processing programs on our computer, cause I am not a dork who writes words all day! I've got photoshop and all that GOOD stuff that actually matters and is fun. But wordy stuff? ew.. hahaha you found the wild man?? That's our first feature length film. The opening weekend turned up a pretty good attendance. I'm glad you found it, haha.
The article on the homepage of the church site? yeah, we watched it yesterday. SOOOO STOOOKED!! Aw... I can't wait until December 12! All my teachers watched it and all got super homesick for madagascar and all malahelo and such. Oh yeah, to answer your question about the departure date being 1212 or 1214 or whatever, it doesn't really matter which one you put on the envelops, i found out. It's all the same. I think we'll actually leave around the 12th or 13th though.. I'm not sure.
Well, another week has past! Tomorrow I will start my 5th week here, and all is well! And I haven't even gained more than 5 pounds!!
I love you!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Yeah, Tiako anao techinically means 'I loved you' but my teacher said that's really how they would commonly say it, so yeah
Yeah, i got your halloween package on time, it came on Saturday! Thank you for all the candy and sweet stuff! Last night (halloween) you'd see a couple of elders with make shift costumes on, going from room to room trick or treating. With all the candy you gave me, I decided I would go around and do some 'opposite trick or treating,' so I went from room to room and said "opposite trick or treat!" Haha most of the elders had already had a fair share of candy, so I still had quite a bit left over, but it was still fun! haha I just thought I would try to spread the festive cheer somehow.
And about painting my room pink.. that's all good, haha. I won't see it ever, so I don't mind haha. I like how cat stepped in the paint. Oh silly cat. You are so silly.
I'll try to get some photos printed soon, I keep meaning to, but I get distracted. I hope that in the mission field I can just email pictures to you, but we'll see if that will ever happen. I'm about 90% sure you can't do that here. Anyway, yeah, I'll get some photos sent sooon.
While walking to the temple today, I got my first chance to use my umbrella! The wind came down strong, so I had to hold the umbrella at an angle. My pants got soaked, but that's okay. This elder in my district loves the rain so much, he's like dying of happiness all day today. I don't really mind it, but I prefer snow over rain, i think. Maybe I'll change my mind when that comes too, haha. I'm just looking forward to seeing snow for a little bit, and then leaving all of it for a while. Though... I will see rain A TON more, like, WAAAY more, which is chill. And I'll be headed straight into rainy season!! NICE! I'll be able to use that jacket a ton!
Well tomorrow will make it three weeks, officially. Which is weird. Chase entered on the same day I did, and he left yesterday, which, also, is weird. Nine weeks is going to be looooong. But, I'm not nearly close to having the language down enough to where I feel comfortable speaking it, so I welcome these next 6 weeks in a warm embrace.
That's super funny about Abby dancing, haha, what a goof ball. She'll be 10 months in a week, right? When is she going to get walking?! hahaha
I AM SO STOKED TO HEAR ABOUT WYATT AND JASON'S MISSION CALLS!! AHHHHH.
I can't wait.
Just like how chase left on monday, a neighbooring district of ours left on monday too. They were in our Branch and lived just down the hall, so we all kind of became friends with them. On sunday night, the floor usually goes to a departing district and they sing! On my first sunday night, the Malayasians left, so they sang in malaysian. These elders are all going state side, so respectively, we sang english. The best part is just the feeling of togetherness through it all, and more so with these Elders, cause it felt like we grew up with them. We endured our first days together, and now they were all going into the real world. Ahh... we sang 'Til We Meet' at the top of our lungs that night. I get goosebumps just writing about it! I loved it!
Well, that's all I have for now, Veloma!
(vel-OH-ma)
Yeah, i got your halloween package on time, it came on Saturday! Thank you for all the candy and sweet stuff! Last night (halloween) you'd see a couple of elders with make shift costumes on, going from room to room trick or treating. With all the candy you gave me, I decided I would go around and do some 'opposite trick or treating,' so I went from room to room and said "opposite trick or treat!" Haha most of the elders had already had a fair share of candy, so I still had quite a bit left over, but it was still fun! haha I just thought I would try to spread the festive cheer somehow.
And about painting my room pink.. that's all good, haha. I won't see it ever, so I don't mind haha. I like how cat stepped in the paint. Oh silly cat. You are so silly.
I'll try to get some photos printed soon, I keep meaning to, but I get distracted. I hope that in the mission field I can just email pictures to you, but we'll see if that will ever happen. I'm about 90% sure you can't do that here. Anyway, yeah, I'll get some photos sent sooon.
While walking to the temple today, I got my first chance to use my umbrella! The wind came down strong, so I had to hold the umbrella at an angle. My pants got soaked, but that's okay. This elder in my district loves the rain so much, he's like dying of happiness all day today. I don't really mind it, but I prefer snow over rain, i think. Maybe I'll change my mind when that comes too, haha. I'm just looking forward to seeing snow for a little bit, and then leaving all of it for a while. Though... I will see rain A TON more, like, WAAAY more, which is chill. And I'll be headed straight into rainy season!! NICE! I'll be able to use that jacket a ton!
Well tomorrow will make it three weeks, officially. Which is weird. Chase entered on the same day I did, and he left yesterday, which, also, is weird. Nine weeks is going to be looooong. But, I'm not nearly close to having the language down enough to where I feel comfortable speaking it, so I welcome these next 6 weeks in a warm embrace.
That's super funny about Abby dancing, haha, what a goof ball. She'll be 10 months in a week, right? When is she going to get walking?! hahaha
I AM SO STOKED TO HEAR ABOUT WYATT AND JASON'S MISSION CALLS!! AHHHHH.
I can't wait.
Just like how chase left on monday, a neighbooring district of ours left on monday too. They were in our Branch and lived just down the hall, so we all kind of became friends with them. On sunday night, the floor usually goes to a departing district and they sing! On my first sunday night, the Malayasians left, so they sang in malaysian. These elders are all going state side, so respectively, we sang english. The best part is just the feeling of togetherness through it all, and more so with these Elders, cause it felt like we grew up with them. We endured our first days together, and now they were all going into the real world. Ahh... we sang 'Til We Meet' at the top of our lungs that night. I get goosebumps just writing about it! I loved it!
Well, that's all I have for now, Veloma!
(vel-OH-ma)
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Some pics...
Austin at the Provo Temple with his friend Elder Eric Johansen (who is going to Samoa).
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thank you for the laundry bags! I actually got a little hamper thing from this kid last week who was leaving and didn't have room for it. I can be quite resourceful when I need to be. And the game you were thinking of was quidditch, best wizarding sport in the world. That's pretty crazy about Ghadifi! He was just hanging out in a ditch? He shouldn't be playing ditch games in the middle of a war! What a goof ball. And that's pretty cool with Abby being able to wave and all, it's crazy! You better tell me once she is able to walk!
This week has been pretty good, and looking back on it, has gone by pretty fast! A LOOOT easier than the first week, that's for sure! I think once you get into the grove of it all, and find your place amongst all of it, you're good to go! I just hope that theology will last the duriation of my time here. Seeing all the new kids sure was fun, though I didn't haze them as I would've wanted. It didn't seem right. Here I am, an Elder for a week, trying to taunt newbies? Yeah, I should've. We get in a new load tomorrow, so we'll just see what happens. haha nah, I'll probably just say 'welcome' in malagasy and freak them out by making them hear a language they've never heard before. That's what happended to me.
Malagasy is coming along, slowly. I know how to say things now, which is good. The trouble is, when we have to teach our progressing investigators, I know what I want to say and how I can help the guy, but I just don't know how to say it! It's tough! I figure that will just come with time and practice as well. The language actually makes a lot of sense, the way the words are created and formed to make verbs and such. So really, I don't have it all too bad. Just lots and lots of practice.
I've come to the conclusion that p-day is basically the best day ever and that no day on the outside can come close to how great it feels to have a p-day as a missionary. The smell of fresh clean clothes, wearing jeans, writing letters, temple sessions. The best.
Last tuesday night, guess who came to speak at the devotional??? Richard G. Scott! We got to listen to an apostle speak; up close too! We got the word early, so we were sure to be in the line real quick. You see, apostle gossip spreads quietly and surreptitiously around here, and all you can do is hope you can receive the message in time. And we got it in time!! The rumor is that he usually stays and shakes EVERY missionaries hand, but he told us he couldn't stay and do that this time, which was all good. He's an important man! He raised his arm in the arm and made a shaking motion saying "consider yourselves virtually shook." haha
Well, time keeps ticking and I keep learning here at the mtc. Tomorrow I will start my third week here, and will thus be closer to entering the actual mission field. All the English elders who entered the same day we did will be leaving next week, which is pretty sad because we grown pretty close to a group of them who live in our hall and are in our branch. One of the kids, Elder Cox, is super cool. We have beat box sessions sometimes and it's super fun. Everyone loves it.
Plus, that means chase will be leaving too. I see him every now and again, and I usually see Eric pretty often. It's nice seeing them! Blake Meservy will be here before too long! ahahaa I can't wait! I hope I'll see him around!
Well, take it easy! I hope you have a good week!
Okay, Veloma is pronounced vel-o-ma and misoatra means thank you! me-so-cha
This week has been pretty good, and looking back on it, has gone by pretty fast! A LOOOT easier than the first week, that's for sure! I think once you get into the grove of it all, and find your place amongst all of it, you're good to go! I just hope that theology will last the duriation of my time here. Seeing all the new kids sure was fun, though I didn't haze them as I would've wanted. It didn't seem right. Here I am, an Elder for a week, trying to taunt newbies? Yeah, I should've. We get in a new load tomorrow, so we'll just see what happens. haha nah, I'll probably just say 'welcome' in malagasy and freak them out by making them hear a language they've never heard before. That's what happended to me.
Malagasy is coming along, slowly. I know how to say things now, which is good. The trouble is, when we have to teach our progressing investigators, I know what I want to say and how I can help the guy, but I just don't know how to say it! It's tough! I figure that will just come with time and practice as well. The language actually makes a lot of sense, the way the words are created and formed to make verbs and such. So really, I don't have it all too bad. Just lots and lots of practice.
I've come to the conclusion that p-day is basically the best day ever and that no day on the outside can come close to how great it feels to have a p-day as a missionary. The smell of fresh clean clothes, wearing jeans, writing letters, temple sessions. The best.
Last tuesday night, guess who came to speak at the devotional??? Richard G. Scott! We got to listen to an apostle speak; up close too! We got the word early, so we were sure to be in the line real quick. You see, apostle gossip spreads quietly and surreptitiously around here, and all you can do is hope you can receive the message in time. And we got it in time!! The rumor is that he usually stays and shakes EVERY missionaries hand, but he told us he couldn't stay and do that this time, which was all good. He's an important man! He raised his arm in the arm and made a shaking motion saying "consider yourselves virtually shook." haha
Well, time keeps ticking and I keep learning here at the mtc. Tomorrow I will start my third week here, and will thus be closer to entering the actual mission field. All the English elders who entered the same day we did will be leaving next week, which is pretty sad because we grown pretty close to a group of them who live in our hall and are in our branch. One of the kids, Elder Cox, is super cool. We have beat box sessions sometimes and it's super fun. Everyone loves it.
Plus, that means chase will be leaving too. I see him every now and again, and I usually see Eric pretty often. It's nice seeing them! Blake Meservy will be here before too long! ahahaa I can't wait! I hope I'll see him around!
Well, take it easy! I hope you have a good week!
Okay, Veloma is pronounced vel-o-ma and misoatra means thank you! me-so-cha
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Hello Family!
I am still alive, and doing well!
They say that if you can survive until your first Sunday, that you can make it the whole time. Let's hope that's true. haha I think that was the hardest part though, the first couple of days, just trying to get used to it all and also the idea of not going home for two years. I'm all good now though. Once you get into the thick of things, you're fine.
It's weird, we we've only been here for a week, and we've already changed our Zone Leaders. They were the ones who basically showed us Malagasy's around, and now their gone. They are going to Singapore and they left Monday morning. So we've already gone through a big change, which is good cause now I feel experienced, in a way.Tomorrow is Wednesday, so all the newbies are coming in! I'm super excited about that, and have been all week long. I'm going to be the one they look up to and think 'Wow... he's so experienced and smart.' Yup. That'll be me. We'll be hazing the newbies all day long, throwing our spare bananas at them, tossing them from Elder to Elder. YES.
My companion in the MTC is Elder Fox. He's a pretty cool guy. haha on the first day we had a big orientation meeting with all the arriving elders, and they asked everybody which country they where from by saying 'would the elders from .... please stand.' They eventually did all the states and, of course, Utah had a big turnout. Elder fox is from Nebraska, but they never called nebraska. Poor Elder Fox.. he never got to stand up.
We've been learning Malagasy pretty hardcore since we got here. I can now pray completely in Malagasy, if I wanted to, and I usually want to. It's hard though, for sure. Learning a new language isn't easy, but hey, i'll be here for 9 weeks so I'm not really worried about it at all. Since the second day we've been here we've been teaching an investigator in Malagasy, which is crazy, but pretty cool too. The first time we taught, we really didn't know what to do. Our lesson was all scattered and such. Yesterday though, we taught our 3rd, and I feel like it went by well! I've still got plenty to learn about teaching though. I guess that the biggest part I'm worried about.
Like I was saying earlier, we've already had to say bye to elders we've just started to get along with. Yesterday we had an Elder temporaraly join our district for the day. His entire district left on Monday morning, and he didn't leave until today, so he hung out with us all day. He was this asian kid who was crazy smart, seriously. He was fluent in 6 languages! English being his 3rd language, behind Mandrian and Togolac (the language Wes learned, I don't know how to spell it). Really though, he was crazy. And we would laugh at everything! haha all the time, it was the best! I wish he would've just been transfered to our mission. He was super fun to hang around with. I'll upload a picture of him if I ever figure out how.. Maybe I'll just print them off and send them home. Anyway.. I'll figure all that out eventually.
And about all the rumors about the MTC food here.. uh.. yeah. I've got the gassy bloats.
I said I'd send home malagasy phrases, so I'll send this one for this week:
Tiako anao = I love you. Really, it translates to 'I loved you,' but my teacher said that what they use, so there you go.
Well, I miss you all! And I think about you a lot! but not too much. I'm super excited to get out into the field! If Jeff Tribett is reading this, I think I get what you mean now. And I'll be here 3x as long as you were.
Oh yeah, I see Eric all the time. We've had some pretty good chats since we've been here, and we got to sit next to each other at the temple today. I've got a crazy story about that, but I'll tell you later; my time is almost up. I saw chase the first day, and I ate lunch with him, but I haven't seen him much since. He only has two more weeks here, dang!
Okay, thank you for all you do! I got pretty tired of finding all those notes the first day, but when I find them now, I smile. hesitantly.
Veloma!! (goodbye)
Austin Bergera
I am still alive, and doing well!
They say that if you can survive until your first Sunday, that you can make it the whole time. Let's hope that's true. haha I think that was the hardest part though, the first couple of days, just trying to get used to it all and also the idea of not going home for two years. I'm all good now though. Once you get into the thick of things, you're fine.
It's weird, we we've only been here for a week, and we've already changed our Zone Leaders. They were the ones who basically showed us Malagasy's around, and now their gone. They are going to Singapore and they left Monday morning. So we've already gone through a big change, which is good cause now I feel experienced, in a way.Tomorrow is Wednesday, so all the newbies are coming in! I'm super excited about that, and have been all week long. I'm going to be the one they look up to and think 'Wow... he's so experienced and smart.' Yup. That'll be me. We'll be hazing the newbies all day long, throwing our spare bananas at them, tossing them from Elder to Elder. YES.
My companion in the MTC is Elder Fox. He's a pretty cool guy. haha on the first day we had a big orientation meeting with all the arriving elders, and they asked everybody which country they where from by saying 'would the elders from .... please stand.' They eventually did all the states and, of course, Utah had a big turnout. Elder fox is from Nebraska, but they never called nebraska. Poor Elder Fox.. he never got to stand up.
We've been learning Malagasy pretty hardcore since we got here. I can now pray completely in Malagasy, if I wanted to, and I usually want to. It's hard though, for sure. Learning a new language isn't easy, but hey, i'll be here for 9 weeks so I'm not really worried about it at all. Since the second day we've been here we've been teaching an investigator in Malagasy, which is crazy, but pretty cool too. The first time we taught, we really didn't know what to do. Our lesson was all scattered and such. Yesterday though, we taught our 3rd, and I feel like it went by well! I've still got plenty to learn about teaching though. I guess that the biggest part I'm worried about.
Like I was saying earlier, we've already had to say bye to elders we've just started to get along with. Yesterday we had an Elder temporaraly join our district for the day. His entire district left on Monday morning, and he didn't leave until today, so he hung out with us all day. He was this asian kid who was crazy smart, seriously. He was fluent in 6 languages! English being his 3rd language, behind Mandrian and Togolac (the language Wes learned, I don't know how to spell it). Really though, he was crazy. And we would laugh at everything! haha all the time, it was the best! I wish he would've just been transfered to our mission. He was super fun to hang around with. I'll upload a picture of him if I ever figure out how.. Maybe I'll just print them off and send them home. Anyway.. I'll figure all that out eventually.
And about all the rumors about the MTC food here.. uh.. yeah. I've got the gassy bloats.
I said I'd send home malagasy phrases, so I'll send this one for this week:
Tiako anao = I love you. Really, it translates to 'I loved you,' but my teacher said that what they use, so there you go.
Well, I miss you all! And I think about you a lot! but not too much. I'm super excited to get out into the field! If Jeff Tribett is reading this, I think I get what you mean now. And I'll be here 3x as long as you were.
Oh yeah, I see Eric all the time. We've had some pretty good chats since we've been here, and we got to sit next to each other at the temple today. I've got a crazy story about that, but I'll tell you later; my time is almost up. I saw chase the first day, and I ate lunch with him, but I haven't seen him much since. He only has two more weeks here, dang!
Okay, thank you for all you do! I got pretty tired of finding all those notes the first day, but when I find them now, I smile. hesitantly.
Veloma!! (goodbye)
Austin Bergera
Monday, October 17, 2011
And he writes!
On Friday we got our first letter from Elder Bergera, he writes...
"Dear Family,
Guess what!? They're letting us send a letter off on the second day! My normal p-day will be tuesday (I think), so get used to that.
When they said you'll be working all day, they weren't kidding! haha my host kept telling me that a week here feels like 2 days.
My first companion is Elder Fox from Nebraska! haha they did this orientation meeting where they asked people to stand as they called different countries/states, and they forgot Nebraska. Poor Elder Fox didn't get to stand. Utah had plenty of Elders though.
I saw Eric for about three seconds by my Malagasy room. He just gave me a hand shake-hug and kept going. I saw Chase during lunch and we sat next to each other. We got to talk for the duration of lunch, which was nice! His companion is from Virginia, just a couple of white boys headed to Zimbabwe!
Right after I showed up here and went through all the necessary things, my host brought me to my class room, but upon arrival we couldn't find my teacher, so I helped him host another new kid. Turns out the new kid was from Salem (I'm not super familiar with him, but I recognized him). Anyway, I got to feel like an old pro showing this kid what to do. It felt good!
(Brittany) I shared that quote ("There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during this mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows.' No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did." ~ Elder David A. Bednar) that you gave me with my roommates cause it fit perfectly with something we needed earlier. One Elder (Elder Landon) took it and borrowed it so he could write it down. So, just know your quote got appreciated!
Anyway, thank you all for your letters and your great support you have shown.
My toe already feels better, so let's hope that it heals.
By the way, those little notes have not gone unnoticed. I notice each one. Each one.
Okay, that all for now.
Austin Bergera."
"Dear Family,
Guess what!? They're letting us send a letter off on the second day! My normal p-day will be tuesday (I think), so get used to that.
When they said you'll be working all day, they weren't kidding! haha my host kept telling me that a week here feels like 2 days.
My first companion is Elder Fox from Nebraska! haha they did this orientation meeting where they asked people to stand as they called different countries/states, and they forgot Nebraska. Poor Elder Fox didn't get to stand. Utah had plenty of Elders though.
I saw Eric for about three seconds by my Malagasy room. He just gave me a hand shake-hug and kept going. I saw Chase during lunch and we sat next to each other. We got to talk for the duration of lunch, which was nice! His companion is from Virginia, just a couple of white boys headed to Zimbabwe!
Right after I showed up here and went through all the necessary things, my host brought me to my class room, but upon arrival we couldn't find my teacher, so I helped him host another new kid. Turns out the new kid was from Salem (I'm not super familiar with him, but I recognized him). Anyway, I got to feel like an old pro showing this kid what to do. It felt good!
(Brittany) I shared that quote ("There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during this mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows.' No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did." ~ Elder David A. Bednar) that you gave me with my roommates cause it fit perfectly with something we needed earlier. One Elder (Elder Landon) took it and borrowed it so he could write it down. So, just know your quote got appreciated!
Anyway, thank you all for your letters and your great support you have shown.
My toe already feels better, so let's hope that it heals.
By the way, those little notes have not gone unnoticed. I notice each one. Each one.
Okay, that all for now.
Austin Bergera."
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Drop Off...
We dropped Austin off at the MTC today. It's still pretty surreal and just hard to imagine that I wont see him again for 2 years. I still remember my mom bringing him home from the hospital, lol. The last 19 years went by in the blink of an eye, and now my baby brother is a missionary. Just can't explain how proud of him I am.
Austin skateboarding his last time for two years!
Abby is sure gonna miss her uncle!
Austin says goodbye to his brother-in-law Matt
After lunch we had a few minutes to kill so we went to the Provo Temple and took a few photos...
Well whether we all liked it or not it was time to drop Austin off. We went over to the MTC and said our goodbyes, of course we all had to give Austin one last hug which was far too bitter-sweet.
So very, very proud of him and just can't wait for him to get back home!! We love ya so much Elder Austin James Bergera, onward ever onward!
Austin skateboarding his last time for two years!
We had a small lunch for Austin at Los Hermanos before we dropped him off. The food was good and the company was great but we were all a little anxious about dropping Austin off. This is all new to my family and we've got the first-timers jitters I guess. Excited and nervous and just everything all mixed into one.
Abby is sure gonna miss her uncle!
Austin says goodbye to his brother-in-law MattAfter lunch we had a few minutes to kill so we went to the Provo Temple and took a few photos...
Well whether we all liked it or not it was time to drop Austin off. We went over to the MTC and said our goodbyes, of course we all had to give Austin one last hug which was far too bitter-sweet.
So very, very proud of him and just can't wait for him to get back home!! We love ya so much Elder Austin James Bergera, onward ever onward!
A little introduction of sorts...
Austin Bergera...that is Elder Austin Bergera, is my brother. I've seen him almost every day of his life (give or take a day or two) for over 19 years. Today at approximately 12:40pm was the last time I will see him for two years...kind of sucks. On the plus side though he is serving the Lord and I honestly couldn't be prouder of him! Yup my brother is a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is devoting two years of his life to serve the people of Madagascar...what could be cooler then that?! (I think it kind of out weighs the whole rotten part about not being able to see him for so long.) Before Elder Bergera left he asked me to whip up a little blog for family and friends to stay caught up on how he is doing. Being the devoted and loving sister I am I couldn't say no...plus how do you say no to someone who looks so dashing in a suit? So I put together this little site and promise to update it with photos, letters, and anything else I can think of for all the fans of my brother out there (and I know there is a lot!) So bookmark it or save it as your home page, whatever you do please make sure to check on it often. To quote one of Austin's favorite quotes,
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." ~ ThoreauThat pretty much sums Austin up, we love ya bro!
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