Hi!
I don't know if this is exact or who deserves credit for this quote but it is very very good. "If you treat a man as he is, he will remain as he is. But, if you treat a man as he could be or aught to be, he will become what he can or aught to be." What a way to look at things. To live this we have to look at the potential in others. We have to think this is a child of God, thus has an infinite potential. Treat them that way and we open a door of opportunity and growth that they can enter if they choose.
I love yall and sure do miss ya.
Love Elder Fagersten
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
October 31, 2011
Howdy Yall.
This week has been great. Full of experiences. I saw a long horn, yes like texas long horns long horn. I held a bible that is about 26 pounds. Elder McCook almost got hit by a car (When I say that it was far enough away but still scary). When he woke up this morning he was disoriented and went to get out of bed on the side the wall is on and smacked his face really hard on the wall. All I heard was moaning and groaning and "oh man I need to check if I'm bleeding." He's ok.
Lots of random stuff like that but also great spiritual growth. I read a quote that says something like when you are in the service of God you shall not fear. As followers of Christ we should always be in the service of God. And as such we should never fear. Fear is the opposite of Faith. All we need is as much faith as a mustard seed and we can move mountains. That shows there is power in faith and weakness in fear. Elder Holland said that all the adversary needs is the faithfull to bind their tongues. Don't be afraid to share what you believe. We show our love for others by sharing what is so important to us with them.
Love Elder Fagersten
This week has been great. Full of experiences. I saw a long horn, yes like texas long horns long horn. I held a bible that is about 26 pounds. Elder McCook almost got hit by a car (When I say that it was far enough away but still scary). When he woke up this morning he was disoriented and went to get out of bed on the side the wall is on and smacked his face really hard on the wall. All I heard was moaning and groaning and "oh man I need to check if I'm bleeding." He's ok.
Lots of random stuff like that but also great spiritual growth. I read a quote that says something like when you are in the service of God you shall not fear. As followers of Christ we should always be in the service of God. And as such we should never fear. Fear is the opposite of Faith. All we need is as much faith as a mustard seed and we can move mountains. That shows there is power in faith and weakness in fear. Elder Holland said that all the adversary needs is the faithfull to bind their tongues. Don't be afraid to share what you believe. We show our love for others by sharing what is so important to us with them.
Love Elder Fagersten
October 24, 2011
Hi.
My companion is now Elder McCook. He is from Scottsdale AZ and he is going to be my companion for 3 months. He is on a trial mission to see if he can stay healthy living the missionary life. He has had some significant health issues in the past. But, his doctors said that everything he had is in remission. So here he is, with me, getting trained, never went to the MTC, so I get to train him in everything. Like how to use the planner and stuff that you learn in the MTC. And you learn a lot more than you might think in the MTC. So it is a lot of work. To add to that we do not have a car anymore. We have to figure out how to work in an area on bike. I'll tell you what, it takes a lot more planning when you're on bike. For example instead of taking five minutes in the car to get to the library it takes about 18 minutes. To get to the church around 30 minutes. So we have a lot to figure out.
"Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious...When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully" (Preach My Gospel pg.120). What an important attribute to have. The ability to endure and then to calmly handle situations. There is power and you have great influence when you calmly handle a situation.
Love Elder Fagersten
My companion is now Elder McCook. He is from Scottsdale AZ and he is going to be my companion for 3 months. He is on a trial mission to see if he can stay healthy living the missionary life. He has had some significant health issues in the past. But, his doctors said that everything he had is in remission. So here he is, with me, getting trained, never went to the MTC, so I get to train him in everything. Like how to use the planner and stuff that you learn in the MTC. And you learn a lot more than you might think in the MTC. So it is a lot of work. To add to that we do not have a car anymore. We have to figure out how to work in an area on bike. I'll tell you what, it takes a lot more planning when you're on bike. For example instead of taking five minutes in the car to get to the library it takes about 18 minutes. To get to the church around 30 minutes. So we have a lot to figure out.
"Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious...When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully" (Preach My Gospel pg.120). What an important attribute to have. The ability to endure and then to calmly handle situations. There is power and you have great influence when you calmly handle a situation.
Love Elder Fagersten
October 18, 2011
Hello,
On Saturday President Taylor called and told me that I was going to be training a new missionary the next two transfers. I was excited! So I will be at the same house but I will have a new companion. And please don't call new missionaries green when they come in. That is something that Elder Holland has asked be removed from missionary vocabulary. I am thankful for the opportunity to train a new elder.
“Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first, are friends again at last’” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 165–66). These were the words of the prophet Joseph Smith when W.W. Phelps asked to return to the church. W.W. Phelps betrayed Joseph and the saints in Missouri causing much grief, pain, and loss of property and homes. W.W. Phelps realized what he had done and repented for his actions and asked forgiveness. May we forgive the ones who seek forgiveness. May we put behind us what is in the past and move on. May we destroy our enemies, by making them our friends.
I am thankful for all you have done, do, and will do for me.
Love, Elder Fagersten
On Saturday President Taylor called and told me that I was going to be training a new missionary the next two transfers. I was excited! So I will be at the same house but I will have a new companion. And please don't call new missionaries green when they come in. That is something that Elder Holland has asked be removed from missionary vocabulary. I am thankful for the opportunity to train a new elder.
“Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first, are friends again at last’” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 165–66). These were the words of the prophet Joseph Smith when W.W. Phelps asked to return to the church. W.W. Phelps betrayed Joseph and the saints in Missouri causing much grief, pain, and loss of property and homes. W.W. Phelps realized what he had done and repented for his actions and asked forgiveness. May we forgive the ones who seek forgiveness. May we put behind us what is in the past and move on. May we destroy our enemies, by making them our friends.
I am thankful for all you have done, do, and will do for me.
Love, Elder Fagersten
October 11, 2011
Wow what good news! Audrey Jo Fillmore, welcome to our family. That makes 14 neices, 5 nephews and 19 total. How Awesome! I'm so glad I have a big family.
So yesterday was Columbus day and the library was closed. That is why I'm emailing today, tuesday. But, yesterday we had a Zone activity where we hiked Daisy Mountain. Let me tell you I'm sore as can be. But when we got to the top we had a testimony meeting. Each member of our Zone bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. It was such a great experience.
Love Elder Fagersten
So yesterday was Columbus day and the library was closed. That is why I'm emailing today, tuesday. But, yesterday we had a Zone activity where we hiked Daisy Mountain. Let me tell you I'm sore as can be. But when we got to the top we had a testimony meeting. Each member of our Zone bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. It was such a great experience.
Love Elder Fagersten
October 3, 2011
Hi! General Conference was fantastic!! I thought back to the blessing it has been in my life to have General Conference a priority every April and October. The Words of the Prophet and the Apostolic witnesses shared are a source strength that we can draw from. I have met many people in and out of the church that have not had the blessing of General Conference in their lives. When I see this I often wonder "Why wouldn't you make General Conference a priority?! To make sure you can watch every session you can! It's my favorite two weekends of the year!" I have realized that we learn by experience. Something I still struggle to recognize right away in a situation. The choices we make after experiences shape our lives. Elder Oaks said, "Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming." As we listen to General Conference, not just hear but listen, we recognize the things we need to improve in our lives. Our desire to change comes as we are humble enough to realize we are not perfect. That we can continually improve, and indeed that is what the Atonement is all about. Improvement, change, progression towards aligning our will with Gods. Just as Elder Patrick Kearon taught in the October 2010 General Conference, "to survive in a minefield, you must follow exactly in the tracks of the vehicle moving ahead of you. Any deviation to the right or left could—and indeed did—prove fatal." Elder Packer said that we are "growing up" and indeed living in "enemy territory." If we align our will with Gods we will not leave the path set before us. We will not find any land mines. We will be able to make it through this life with joy in our journey. Matthew 10:39 teaches us that "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Lose yourself in the service of God and you will find Joy in this life and the life to come.
Maybe that helps you understand why I love General Conference so much. Three different conferences. Three different leaders in the church. One message that we can all benefit from. General Conference is for everyone!
Something else I've realized is, when we don't tell people we love them they often forget. Like Joe shared with us "Doubt enters our lives when we forget. " When it's not on the forefront of your mind it seems to drift away and becomes forgotten. Always remember the counsel of the Prophet, President Monson, "Never let a problem to be solved, become more important than a person to be loved." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "Love is really spelled T-I-M-E." For me, love is really spelled S-N-A-I-L M-A-I-L. For me, showing your love is great and very important, but saying it, is a way of expressing your love that cannot be replaced.
I love you and hope and pray that we will feast upon the words of Christ. Be it through the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, or General Conference. All are the words of God. As we learned from Elder Richard G. Scott we should make all of the standard works a part of our studies. "To memorize scripture is to forge a new friendship." That is a friend we can always call on, depend on, draw from to get through a situation.
I love all of you and thank you for your concern, prayers, love, letters, and everything else.
Love,
Elder Ben Fagersten
Maybe that helps you understand why I love General Conference so much. Three different conferences. Three different leaders in the church. One message that we can all benefit from. General Conference is for everyone!
Something else I've realized is, when we don't tell people we love them they often forget. Like Joe shared with us "Doubt enters our lives when we forget. " When it's not on the forefront of your mind it seems to drift away and becomes forgotten. Always remember the counsel of the Prophet, President Monson, "Never let a problem to be solved, become more important than a person to be loved." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "Love is really spelled T-I-M-E." For me, love is really spelled S-N-A-I-L M-A-I-L. For me, showing your love is great and very important, but saying it, is a way of expressing your love that cannot be replaced.
I love you and hope and pray that we will feast upon the words of Christ. Be it through the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, or General Conference. All are the words of God. As we learned from Elder Richard G. Scott we should make all of the standard works a part of our studies. "To memorize scripture is to forge a new friendship." That is a friend we can always call on, depend on, draw from to get through a situation.
I love all of you and thank you for your concern, prayers, love, letters, and everything else.
Love,
Elder Ben Fagersten
September 26, 2011
"Your future is not determined by the conditions around you. It is determined by your faith, your choices, and your efforts." -Elder Paul V. Johnson
That's all I've got. Nothing too interesting happened. Maybe just sending that quote will make some people think like it has made me do.
Elder Fagersten
That's all I've got. Nothing too interesting happened. Maybe just sending that quote will make some people think like it has made me do.
Elder Fagersten
September 11, 2011
So I ended up not living in the house with the dog who wears a diaper. I'm in Grandma Eccles house! She is a wonderful lady who is kind of a mix between Gma Fagersten and Gma Mathusek. She acts like a kid yet knows the gospel of Jesus Christ and the healing power it and the priesthood brings into your life. The address for another 5 weeks is:
Elder Ben Fagersten
18855 N. 71st Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85308
So I really enjoyed the letter mom! Those pictures bring back great memories. I am keeping a photo album to help out with my bad journal writing. And those pictures went right in the front page.
So Mormon messages are some great videos! I watched a lot of them this week and have gathered many great insights. I'll give two quotes today from my favorite Mormon message. "They do not love, that do not show their love."(William Shakespeare)
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."(President Thomas S. Monson) Love is the very foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For on this hang all the law. (see Matthew 22:37-40) It is our religion, to love one another. I think of the Joseph Smith:The Prophet of the Restoration movie when they are splitting wood and building a fence for an older lady and she comes up to Joseph Smith and says "Mr. Smith I do not believe in your religion. But, I do thank you for your kindness." and Joseph Smith says "Well ma'am you could say that is our religion." Plus loving others just makes you happy. I love all of you and thank you for your letters and support.
Love Elder Ben Fagersten
DEAR FAMILY. . .JUST A NOTE THAT AS OF TODAY, ALL LETTERS, PACKAGES ETC., HAVE TO BE SENT DIRECTLY TO ELDER BEN. THE POST OFFICE DOES NOT FORWARD LETTERS FROM BUSINESSES, CHURCHES AND INSTITUTIONS ANY MORE. IF ANY MAIL GOES TO THE MISSION OFFICE, THEY WILL DELIVER IT AT THE NEXT MISSIONARY ZONE CONFERENCE OR TRANSFER.
Elder Ben Fagersten
18855 N. 71st Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85308
So I really enjoyed the letter mom! Those pictures bring back great memories. I am keeping a photo album to help out with my bad journal writing. And those pictures went right in the front page.
So Mormon messages are some great videos! I watched a lot of them this week and have gathered many great insights. I'll give two quotes today from my favorite Mormon message. "They do not love, that do not show their love."(William Shakespeare)
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."(President Thomas S. Monson) Love is the very foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For on this hang all the law. (see Matthew 22:37-40) It is our religion, to love one another. I think of the Joseph Smith:The Prophet of the Restoration movie when they are splitting wood and building a fence for an older lady and she comes up to Joseph Smith and says "Mr. Smith I do not believe in your religion. But, I do thank you for your kindness." and Joseph Smith says "Well ma'am you could say that is our religion." Plus loving others just makes you happy. I love all of you and thank you for your letters and support.
Love Elder Ben Fagersten
DEAR FAMILY. . .JUST A NOTE THAT AS OF TODAY, ALL LETTERS, PACKAGES ETC., HAVE TO BE SENT DIRECTLY TO ELDER BEN. THE POST OFFICE DOES NOT FORWARD LETTERS FROM BUSINESSES, CHURCHES AND INSTITUTIONS ANY MORE. IF ANY MAIL GOES TO THE MISSION OFFICE, THEY WILL DELIVER IT AT THE NEXT MISSIONARY ZONE CONFERENCE OR TRANSFER.
September 6, 2011
Since I seem to have neglected to tell yall about Elder Vaughan my companion, here is a tidbit about him. He is from South Carolina. He has a bad back and he may have to get surgery to fix it. Which would put him out for about a month or maybe more.
We are moving to a different house. We will still be together for another transfer just a different house. There is a dog at our new house and it wears a diaper. I'll definitely send pictures when we move.
Our wards are full of great people who love the missionaries.
"Come what may, and love it" Joseph B. Wirthlin. The October 2008 General Conference has been really helpful for me this past week. I would highly recommend a review of it. There is even an article in this months ensign about it. I can promise if you love the experiences that you have to go through you will love life more and you will learn more.
I love yall and thank you for support and prayers!
Love Elder Fagersten
We are moving to a different house. We will still be together for another transfer just a different house. There is a dog at our new house and it wears a diaper. I'll definitely send pictures when we move.
Our wards are full of great people who love the missionaries.
"Come what may, and love it" Joseph B. Wirthlin. The October 2008 General Conference has been really helpful for me this past week. I would highly recommend a review of it. There is even an article in this months ensign about it. I can promise if you love the experiences that you have to go through you will love life more and you will learn more.
I love yall and thank you for support and prayers!
Love Elder Fagersten
August 22, 2011
"Inspect what you expect." ...there's some food for thought. That has really put a new twist on life. A good twist! What do you expect when you go to school, church, even the store! Think about it, it's kinda fun. For me it's what do I expect each day from my self. What do I expect to do today that will cheer up the sad or make someone feel glad. Lift burdens. That is what my mission is all about! It's about other people!! It's a wonderful opportunity that everyone should take to forget about yourself for awhile and find a way to serve someone.
Love,
Elder Fagersten
Love,
Elder Fagersten
August 15, 2011
Hi~
I have been having a lot of new experiences in this area. I have begun a quote journal. . .quotes that have helped me, ones that are helping me, ones that I think will help others.
"Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving and our becoming."
-Elder Oaks
This quote has really helped me put things in perspective and to know what is important and what should be put first.
Love
Elder Ben Fagersten
I have been having a lot of new experiences in this area. I have begun a quote journal. . .quotes that have helped me, ones that are helping me, ones that I think will help others.
"Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving and our becoming."
-Elder Oaks
This quote has really helped me put things in perspective and to know what is important and what should be put first.
Love
Elder Ben Fagersten
August 1, 2011
Hello all! Before I tell you where I am I have a story. Elder Brown and I were riding down the street to go to an appointment. And it so happened that the hospital was on this street. We were waved down by a lady and she said her husband was in the hospital and he wanted a blessing. We said ok we can come after our appointment and that was ok with her. We then went to the appointment and then went to the hospital. When we got there his hand was all wrapped up and there were leaches on his fingers! We came to find out that he had been lubing his motorcycle chain and the sock he was using to put the greace on got caught in the chain and then he grabbed the sock and his fingers went through also. His pointer and pinky fingers were taken off. His middle and ring fingers were mangled. I'll send the pictures next week because I forgot my camera.
I'm in Peoria! I live in Peoria but my area is in Glendale. I am now covering two wards. One is the Foot Hills ward and the other is Sunburst ward. I am now companions with Elder Vaughan. He is a baller from South Carolina, Charleston. I'm living in a house with four other missionaries and it is really fun. I'm now in a car! I'm the designated driver and the senior companion. Which doesn't really mean a whole lot. We both are accountable for the decisions made in the companionship but the senior kind of has more accountablility. If that makes sence. But The work is going to go forth boldly and nobly.
I got to see Elder Kyle Gerber at transfer meeting. It was great to see him! And we are going home at the same time! We could and better be on the same flight home...don't take this as being trunky, at all.
I love you all and thank you for the prayers!
Elder Fagersten
I'm in Peoria! I live in Peoria but my area is in Glendale. I am now covering two wards. One is the Foot Hills ward and the other is Sunburst ward. I am now companions with Elder Vaughan. He is a baller from South Carolina, Charleston. I'm living in a house with four other missionaries and it is really fun. I'm now in a car! I'm the designated driver and the senior companion. Which doesn't really mean a whole lot. We both are accountable for the decisions made in the companionship but the senior kind of has more accountablility. If that makes sence. But The work is going to go forth boldly and nobly.
I got to see Elder Kyle Gerber at transfer meeting. It was great to see him! And we are going home at the same time! We could and better be on the same flight home...don't take this as being trunky, at all.
I love you all and thank you for the prayers!
Elder Fagersten
July 18, 2011
holas!
We had a baptism in the north mountain ward this week. Peggy Kurtzhals. It is great to see people embrace the gospel. I also went to my first spanish baptism. It reminded me how much I love singing in spanish!
Love
Elder Fagersten
We had a baptism in the north mountain ward this week. Peggy Kurtzhals. It is great to see people embrace the gospel. I also went to my first spanish baptism. It reminded me how much I love singing in spanish!
Love
Elder Fagersten
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